Device, system, and method for applying a product

A device for applying a product, the device comprising:

• a container configured to contain a product;
• a duct associated with the container, the duct defining an axis and a passage in one of selective and permanent communication with the container;
• an applicator, the applicator comprising material permeable to the product and defining an axial length, the applicator comprising
• a side wall,
• a substantially closed first end defining an application surface, and
• an open second end;
• and
• a removable closure component,
• wherein the applicator and the container are intended to be coupled together,
• wherein at least a portion of the axial length of the applicator is located around the duct,
• wherein the applicator is configured such that, when the applicator and the container are coupled together and there is an absence of axial stress exerted on the application surface,
• a) at least one cavity is formed between a free end of the duct and an internal surface of the applicator facing the free end of the duct, and
• b) at least one portion of the applicator lies above the at least one cavity and has a thickness along a direction of the axis of the duct that is less than the thickness of the side wall in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of the duct,
• wherein the device is configured so that the at least one cavity defines a volume capable of varying,
• wherein the applicator at least partially comprises an elastically compressible material,
• wherein the applicator is at least partially compressed when the removable closure component is in a closed position, and
• wherein the duct extends into the applicator along a distance greater than a thickness of the at least one portion of the applicator lying above the at least one cavity.

A method for applying a product, the method comprising:

• providing a system for applying a product, the system comprising a device for applying a product, the device comprising
• a container configured to contain a product,
• a product contained in the container,
• a duct associated with the container, the duct defining an axis and a passage in one of selective and permanent communication with the container, and
• an applicator, the applicator comprising material permeable to the product and defining an axial length, the applicator comprising
• a side wall,
• a substantially closed first end defining an application surface, and
• an open second end,
• wherein the applicator and the container are intended to be coupled together,
• wherein at least a portion of the axial length of the applicator is located around the duct,
• wherein the applicator is configured such that, when the applicator and the container are coupled together and there is an absence of axial stress exerted on the application surface,
• a) at least one cavity is formed between a free end of the duct and an internal surface of the applicator facing the free end of the duct, and
• b) at least one portion of the applicator lies above the at least one cavity and has a thickness along a direction of the axis of the duct that is less than the thickness of the side wall in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of the duct, and
• wherein the device is configured so that the at least one cavity defines a volume capable of varying;
• causing at least a portion of the product to be conveyed from an interior of the container to the cavity;
• and
• contacting the application surface to a region so as to apply the product to the region,
• wherein causing at least a portion of the product to be conveyed to the cavity comprises shaking the system.

A device for applying a product, the device comprising:

• a container configured to contain a product;
• a duct defining an axis and a passage in permanent communication with the container;
• and
• an applicator, the applicator comprising flexible material permeable to the product and defining an axial length, the applicator comprising
• a side portion,
• a substantially closed first end defining an application surface, and
• an open second end,
• wherein the applicator and the container are intended to be coupled together,
• wherein a portion of the applicator encircles the duct,
• wherein the applicator is configured such that, when the applicator and the container are coupled together and there is an absence of axial stress exerted on the application surface,
• a) a cavity is defined partially by an internal surface of the applicator facing the free end of the duct, and
• b) a portion of the applicator lies above the cavity and has a thickness along a direction of the axis of the duct that is less than the thickness of the side portion in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of the duct,
• wherein the device is configured so that the cavity defines a volume capable of varying, and
• wherein the duct extends into the applicator along a distance greater than a thickness of the portion of the applicator lying above the cavity.

A device for applying a cosmetic product, the device comprising:

• a container containing the cosmetic product, the container comprising a neck and being defined by a single piece of material;
• an applicator component comprising flexible material;
• and
• an intermediate element for associating the applicator component with the container, the intermediate element defining a passage for transferring cosmetic product from the container to the applicator component, the intermediate element defining a first portion extending into the container and a second portion extending out of the container, the second portion having a length greater than a length of the first portion;
• wherein the passage comprises a tubular duct configured to provide permanent communication between the container and the applicator component, and the tubular duct extends into the neck of the container, and
• wherein the applicator component and the intermediate element define a cavity located between an end of the tubular duct and an interior portion of the applicator component.

A device for applying a cosmetic product, the device comprising:

• a container containing the cosmetic product, the container comprising a neck and being defined by a single piece of material;
• an applicator comprising flexible material;
• and
• a tubular duct providing permanent communication between the container and the applicator, the tubular duct defining a first portion extending into the neck of the container and a second portion extending out of the neck of the container, wherein the second portion has a length greater than a length of the first portion,
• wherein a cavity is formed between an end of the tubular duct and an interior portion of the applicator.

A device for applying a product, the device comprising:

• a container for containing the product;
• an applicator comprising flexible material, the applicator defining a perimeter and a groove extending along the perimeter;
• and
• a tubular duct extending in the applicator and defining a passage in permanent communication with the container, the tubular duct defining a first portion extending into the container and a second portion extending out of the container, wherein the second portion has a length greater than a length of the first portion,
• wherein a cavity is formed between an end of the tubular duct and an interior portion of the applicator.

A device for applying a product, the device comprising:

• a container configured to contain a product;
• an intermediate element moveable with respect to the container, wherein the intermediate element comprises a duct defining an axis and a passage intended to provide communication with the container;
• and
• an applicator connected to the intermediate element, the applicator comprising flexible, elastically compressible material permeable to the product and defining an axial length, the applicator comprising
• a side portion,
• a substantially closed first end defining an application surface, and
• an open second end,
• wherein the flexible material of the applicator encircles the duct, and
• wherein the applicator is configured such that,
• a) a cavity is defined by an internal surface of the applicator and the intermediate element, and
• b) a portion of the applicator lies above the cavity and has a thickness along a direction of the axis of the duct that is less than the thickness of the side portion in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of the duct,
• wherein the device is configured so that the passage is placed in selective communication with the container by moving the intermediate element with respect to container.

A device for applying a product, the device comprising:

• a container configured to contain a product;
• a duct defining an axis and a passage in communication with the container;
• and
• an applicator, the applicator comprising flexible material permeable to the product and defining an axial length, the applicator comprising
• a side portion,
• a substantially closed first end defining an application surface, and
• an open second end,
• wherein the applicator and the container are intended to be coupled together,
• wherein a portion of the applicator encircles the duct,
• wherein the applicator is configured such that, when the applicator and the container are coupled together and there is an absence of axial stress exerted on the application surface,
• a) a cavity is defined partially by an internal surface of the applicator facing the free end of the duct, and
• b) a portion of the applicator lies above the cavity and has a thickness along a direction of the axis of the duct that is less than the thickness of the side portion in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of the duct,
• wherein the device is configured so that the cavity defines a volume capable of varying,
• wherein the device lacks a valving structure controlling flow of product from the container to the applicator, and
• wherein the duct extends into the applicator along a distance greater than a thickness of the portion of the applicator lying above the cavity.

A device for applying a product, the device comprising:

• a container configured to contain a product;
• a duct associated with the container, the duct defining an axis and a passage in permanent communication with the container;
• and
• an applicator, the applicator comprising material permeable to the product and defining an axial length, the applicator comprising
• a side wall,
• a substantially closed first end defining an application surface, and
• an open second end,
• wherein the applicator and the container are intended to be coupled together,
• wherein at least a portion of the axial length of the applicator is located around the duct,
• wherein the applicator is configured such that, when the applicator and the container are coupled together and there is an absence of axial stress exerted on the application surface,
• a) at least one cavity is formed between a free end of the duct and an internal surface of the applicator facing the free end of the duct, and
• b) at least one portion of the applicator lies above the at least one cavity and has a thickness along a direction of the axis of the duct that is less than the thickness of the side wall in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of the duct,
• wherein the device is configured so that the at least one cavity defines a volume capable of varying, and
• wherein the duct extends into the applicator a distance greater than a height of the at least one cavity along the direction of the axis of the duct.