Adjustable applicator

Abstract

The present invention generally is an adjustable applicator employed for application of a cosmetic or a care product such as for application of mascara, coloring strands of hair, for dental flossing or for applying pharmaceuticals or cleaning agents. The invention discloses an adjustable applicator comprising an applicator element having a non-centrally aligned bore, a filament wherein the filament is housed inside the bore of the applicator element and a clasping means wherein the applicator element angularly deforms when a force is applied on the clasping means. Also disclosed is a device for packaging and dispensing a substance comprising said adjustable applicator.

1 . An adjustable applicator comprising:
 an applicator element having a non-centrally aligned bore; and   a filament; wherein the filament is housed inside the bore of the applicator element.   
   
   
       2 . The adjustable applicator according to  claim 1  further comprising a clasping means, wherein said clasping means is attached to a proximal end of the filament, and wherein a distal end of the filament is fixed inside the applicator. 
   
   
       3 . The adjustable applicator according to  claim 2  wherein the applicator element angularly deforms when a force is applied on the clasping means. 
   
   
       4 . The adjustable applicator according to  claim 1  wherein said filament is fixed at both ends of the applicator and application of external force onto the applicator causes its angular deformation. 
   
   
       5 . A device for packaging and dispensing a substance comprising:
 a gripping member, said gripping member comprising a handle, a stem and an applicator element, the applicator element having a non-centrally aligned bore housing an applicator filament; and   a receptacle.   
   
   
       6 . The device according to  claim 5  comprising a wiper member. 
   
   
       7 . The device according to  claim 5  wherein said handle has a manipulating means for adjusting an angular deformation of the applicator element. 
   
   
       8 . The device according to  claim 5  wherein said handle comprises a cap and a casing. 
   
   
       9 . The device according to  claim 8  wherein a proximal end of stem is connected to the handle while a distal end of the stem is connected to the applicator. 
   
   
       10 . The device according to  claim 9  further comprising:
 a lock and key arrangement between the cap and the casing to restrict the axial movement of the cap with respect to the casing.   
   
   
       11 . The device according to  claim 10  wherein the casing houses a movable member. 
   
   
       12 . The device according to  claim 11  wherein said movable member is directly connected to the applicator filament in the applicator. 
   
   
       13 . The device according to  claim 11  wherein said stem has a cavity that houses a stem filament. 
   
   
       14 . The device according to  claim 13  wherein said stem filament in the stem cavity has a groove at a distal end. 
   
   
       15 . The device according to  claim 14  wherein said movable member is connected to the applicator filament via the stem filament hooks up the applicator filament at its groove. 
   
   
       16 . The device according to  claim 15  wherein the applicator filament is adjusted with said groove in the stem filament such that it is at an off-centered position. 
   
   
       17 . The device according to  claim 16  wherein the cap of the handle when rotated exerts force to effect synchronous movement of both the stem filament as well as the applicator filament with respect to the handle for adjusting the angular deformation of the applicator element. 
   
   
       18 . The device according to  claim 17  wherein the handle has means to help in fastening and unfastening of the gripping member with respect to the receptacle. 
   
   
       19 . The applicator according to  claim 1  wherein the applicator element is capable of being used for application of a cosmetic or a care product or for removal of a product. 
   
   
       20 . A method of applying a substance comprising providing a device according to  claim 5  and rotating the cap of said device with respect to the casing to bring the applicator into a desired angular deformation. 
   
   
       21 . An adjustable applicator comprising:
 an applicator element having a non-centrally aligned bore;   a filament, wherein the filament is housed inside the bore of the applicator element; and   a clasping means wherein said clasping means is attached to a proximal end of the filament, and a distal end of the filament is fixed inside the applicator, wherein the applicator element angularly deforms when a force is applied on the clasping means.   
   
   
       22 . An adjustable applicator comprising:
 an applicator element having a non-centrally aligned bore; and   a filament housed inside the bore of the applicator element, the filament fixed at both ends of the applicator; and wherein application of external force onto the applicator causes its angular deformation.   
   
   
       23 . A device for packaging and dispensing a substance comprising:
 a gripping member, a receptacle and optionally comprising a wiper;   wherein said gripping member comprises a handle, a stem having a cavity and an applicator element having a non-centrally aligned bore housing a filament;   wherein said handle comprises a cap and a casing which are arranged by means of a lock and key arrangement such that the axial movement of the cap with respect to the casing is restricted;   wherein the casing houses a movable member, wherein said movable member is either directly connected to the filament in the applicator or said movable member is connected to the applicator filament via another filament housed in the cavity of the stem that hooks up the applicator filament at its groove which is at an off-centered position at the distal end of the filament in the stem; and   wherein the proximal end of stem is connected to the handle while its distal end is connected to the applicator;   wherein the cap of the handle when rotated exerts force to effect synchronous movement of both the filament in the stem as well as the applicator filament with respect to the handle for adjusting the angular deformation of the applicator element; and   wherein the handle has means to help in fastening and unfastening of the gripping member with respect to the receptacle.