US20050040067A1

US20050040067A1 - Packaging device

Info

Publication number: US20050040067A1
Application number: US10/914,168
Authority: US
Inventors: Vincent de Laforcade
Original assignee: LOreal SA
Current assignee: LOreal SA
Priority date: 2003-08-20
Filing date: 2004-08-10
Publication date: 2005-02-24

Abstract

A packaging device includes a plurality of applicators and a support for receiving the applicators. A support includes a plurality of spacers disposed between the applicators. Two consecutive spacers are interconnected at one end in a hinged manner. A support is formed as a single piece by molding a plastic material.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of French Application No. 03 10055 filed on Aug. 20, 2003 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/502,964 filed on Sep. 16, 2003, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to devices for packaging applicators such as, for example, applicators in the form of flexible disks of non-woven or other materials.
Such applicators are known in particular from U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,983,369, 4,765,482 and 5,894,927.
In U.S. Pat. No. 2,983,369, each applicator is provided with a central opening and applicators are stacked on a rod of a support that is immersed in a receptacle containing a liquid. The support is provided with a handle enabling it to be extracted from the receptacle. With such a device, a user can find it quite difficult to take hold of only one applicator at a time. In addition, there is a non-negligible risk of the contaminating applicators that have not yet been used.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,765,482 and 5,894,927 describe devices that are fairly similar and that present the same drawbacks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In various exemplary embodiments, a packaging device may comprise: a plurality of applicators; and a support for receiving the applicators, the support comprising a plurality of spacers disposed between the applicators, two consecutive spacers being interconnected at one end in a hinged manner.
The presence of spacers makes it easier for a user to take hold of an applicator, and also decreases the risk of contaminating unused applicators that are still present on a support. The risk of applicators sticking together is also reduced or even eliminated.
In various exemplary embodiments according to this invention, it is possible to avoid contact between two consecutive applicators, which can be useful, for example, for two-sided applicators, e.g., applicators having different substances on opposite faces that should not come into contact during storage.
In various exemplary embodiments, the fact that spacers are interconnected at one end in a hinged manner may make it easier to put applicators into place between the spacers.
In various exemplary embodiments, two consecutive spacers are interconnected by a film hinge.
In various exemplary embodiments, a support is made as a single piece by molding a plastic material such as, for example, a polyolefin.
In various exemplary embodiments, a device includes a receptacle into which a support can be inserted, for example when a device is in a storage configuration.
Exemplary receptacles may comprise, for example, a body and a lid arranged to be removably fixed on the body, for example in a leak-tight manner.
Exemplary receptacles may be useful for protecting applicators from contamination and may improve conservation of applicators placed inside such receptacles. For example, receptacles may enable applicators to be conserved in a moist atmosphere.
In various exemplary embodiments, a receptacle may include a threaded neck and a lid may be arranged to be capable of being screwed onto the neck. Assembling a lid on a body in such manner can make it easier to obtain leak-tight closure.
Exemplary applicators may be impregnated with at least one substance, for example a cosmetic or a care product, which may be in liquid or powder form.
In various exemplary embodiments, substances impregnating applicators may or may not be a liquid filling a receptacle.
In various exemplary embodiments, at least one applicator may include two faces that are impregnated with different respective substances. In some such embodiments, spacers may be arranged in such a manner as to avoid contact between faces of different applicators carried by a support. For example, an applicator having two faces impregnated with different substances may comprise two outer layers that are separated by an intermediate layer that is impermeable.
In various exemplary embodiments, supports may be arranged to cooperate with receptacles in such a manner as to make it impossible for a support to be fully extracted from a receptacle. For example, when a receptacle is filled with liquid, such an arrangement can serve to reduce the risk of splashing a liquid outside a receptacle.
In various exemplary embodiments, supports may include a base portion arranged to go through an opening in a receptacle by deforming elastically, and thereafter to prevent a support from being able to be removed completely from a receptacle. A base portion may present a maximum transverse size, in particular a maximum diameter, that is greater than a smallest transverse size of a top portion of a receptacle, for example a smallest diameter of a neck.
In various exemplary embodiments, supports may rest via a base portion against a bottom of a receptacle, when a support is in a storage configuration.
In various exemplary embodiments, a base portion may comprise a plurality of elastically-deformable tabs.
In some such embodiments, each tab may comprise a portion extending radially outwards that is extended downwards by a chamfered bottom portion for facilitating insertion of a support into a receptacle.
In various exemplary embodiments, when a receptacle has a neck that defines a shoulder at its bottom end, tabs may come into abutment against a shoulder in order to retain a support inside a receptacle.
Spacers may be made in various ways and, for example, spacers may be in the form of optionally-perforated plates presenting a transverse size which may be less than or greater than that of applicators. The term “transverse size” refers to a dimension measured perpendicularly to an axis about which a spacer pivots.
Spacers may extend substantially parallel to one another and spacers may be substantially equidistant from one another when a support is in a storage configuration.
Spacers may be arranged in such a manner that when a support is in a storage configuration, at least one applicator may extend beyond a spacer that is contiguous therewith and, for example, extends beyond a spacer from a side remote from a hinged side.
In various exemplary embodiments, packaging devices may contain a wide variety of numbers of applicators depending, for example, on the purpose of an applicator. A number of applicators may lie in a range of, for example, from ten to thirty.
Applicators may be formed a variety of shapes and, for example may be disk-shaped, thereby enabling them to be packaged in a receptacle comprising a body having a circularly-cylindrical side wall and a lid that is screwed onto the body of the receptacle.
In various exemplary embodiments, applicators may also be of a shape other than disk-shaped. For example, applicators may be oval or polygonal (e.g., square or rectangular).
In various exemplary embodiments, a thickness of an applicator depends on the nature of the substance the applicator is to apply and on a surface to be treated. For example, a thickness of an applicator may lie in a range of from 0.5 millimeters (mm) to 3 mm.
In various exemplary embodiments, a support may include a top portion connected in a hinged manner to an adjacent spacer, the top portion advantageously being provided with a handle member, e.g., in the form of an outwardly-directed tongue. A top portion may in particular present a transverse size that is greater than that of spacers and a transverse size that is slightly greater than that of applicators.
The term “transverse size” refers to a dimension measured perpendicularly to an axis about which a top portion pivots.
When a support is in a storage configuration in a receptacle, a top portion may be used to extract the support in part from the receptacle and, for example, to bring the support into a configuration for presenting applicators in which spacers may form unequal angles between one another.
In various exemplary embodiments, a top portion may present an outline that is circular or otherwise, and a top portion may cover an underlying applicator completely or in part. A top portion may be pierced by an opening, for example in its central region.
Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention also include an applicator support comprising a plurality of spacers connected to one another at one end and made as a single piece by molding a plastic material.
In various exemplary embodiments, a support may include a trunk comprising a succession of segments interconnected by film hinges, each having a spacer connected thereto.
Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention include a packaging device comprising: a receptacle; a plurality of applicators; and a support for receiving the applicators, the support comprising a plurality of spacers disposed between the applicators, two consecutive spacers being interconnected at one end in hinged manner, the support including a base portion arranged to go through an opening of the receptacle by being deformed elastically and subsequently to prevent the support from being able to leave the receptacle completely.
Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention include a method of treating, for example cosmetically, skin, mucous membranes, nails or hair, using a packaging device as described above, the method comprising: causing at least one spacer to pivot relative to another spacer so as to bring an applicator situated between said two spacers into a position enabling it to be taken; and taking the applicator and applying a cosmetic by means of the applicator.
In various exemplary embodiments, prior to an applicator being taken, a support may be extracted partially from a receptacle that enables applicators to be stored hermetically and/or to be impregnated by a substance that is to be applied.
Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention include a method of manufacturing a packaging device as described above, the method comprising: presenting a filler station with a support comprising a plurality of spacers interconnected at one end in hinged manner; and inserting applicators between the spacers.
In various exemplary embodiments, methods according to the present invention may be performed by spacing apart two consecutive spacers so that they form an upwardly-open V-shape, and then sliding an applicator between the spacers vertically.
Applicators for insertion between spacers may be stacked in a dispenser provided with a pusher enabling applicators to be applied one by one against a transfer member, e.g., constituted by a roller driven in rotation.
In various exemplary embodiments, dispensers may be placed above a support that is to be filled with applicators, applicators being stacked horizontally in a dispenser.
In various exemplary embodiments, during filling, a trunk of a support which includes hinges connecting spacers together may bear against a holder member of rounded shape so as to make it easier to spread spacers out in a fan configuration.
In various exemplary embodiments, during filling, a support may be moved relative to a holder member so as to present empty spaces formed between two consecutive spacers in succession beneath a dispenser, thereby allowing an applicator to be deposited in each space presented in this way.
In various exemplary embodiments, a base portion of a support may be moved vertically so as to cause and/or accompany movement of a support relative to a holder member.
In various exemplary embodiments, once a support has been filled, it may be inserted in a folded-up state into a receptacle. A support may, for example, be pushed into a receptacle with sufficient force to enable the support to pass through an opening in a receptacle by elastically deforming a base portion of the support.
In various exemplary embodiments, after a support is inserted in a folded-up state into a receptacle, where appropriate, the receptacle may be filled at least in part with a liquid and closed hermetically.
For a better understanding of the invention as well as other aspects and further features thereof, reference is made to the following drawings and descriptions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the following figures, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic axial section view of an exemplary packaging device;
FIG. 2 is a plan view looking along arrow II shown in FIG. 1, after the lid has been removed;
FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an exemplary applicator in isolation;
FIG. 4 is a view on a larger scale showing an implementation detail of the device shown in FIG. 1;
FIGS. 5 to 9 are sequential section views showing use of an exemplary device;
FIGS. 10 to 14 are sequential section views showing manufacture of an exemplary device;
FIGS. 15 and 16 are plan views showing exemplary embodiments of a support;
FIGS. 17 and 18 are plan views showing exemplary embodiments of an applicator; and
FIG. 19 is a fragmentary and diagrammatic section of an exemplary two sided applicator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The packaging device 1 shown in FIG. 1 comprises a support 10 and a receptacle 20 having the support 10 placed inside it.
The receptacle 20 comprises a body 21 of longitudinal axis X, provided at its top end with a neck 22 having an outside thread, onto which a lid 23 can be screwed so as to close the receptacle 20 substantially hermetically.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the body 21 of the receptacle presents a circularly-cylindrical side wall 21 a about the axis X and a bottom wall 21 b, being made by molding, for example, a plastic material or glass.
At its bottom end, the neck 22 co-operates with the side wall 21 a to form an angular shoulder 24.
The support 10 has a base portion 11 to which there is connected a trunk 15 extending substantially parallel to the axis X when the support is in place inside the receptacle 20 in a storage configuration.
The trunk 15 carries a plurality of spacers 12 which, in a storage configuration, extend substantially perpendicularly to the axis X. In various exemplary embodiments, the spacers 12 can all extend from the same side of the trunk 15. In some such embodiments, the spacers 12 may be superimposed exactly on one another in a vertical direction, all being substantially identical.
The trunk 15 is connected at its top end to a top portion 13 provided with a handle member 14. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the handle member 14 is in the form of an upwardly-directed tongue.
The base portion 11 comprises a plate 19 extending perpendicularly to the axis X and extended downwards by a plurality of tabs 18, each including a portion 18 a that is bent radially outwards and a bottom end 18 b that is chamfered.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the spacers 12 are in the form of plates each having a free end 12 a that tapers and each connected via its opposite end 12 b to the trunk 15. The ends 12 a and 12 b of the spacers may be vertically superimposed when the device is in a storage position.
Devices may comprise a plurality of rectilinear segments 16 each connected perpendicularly to a corresponding spacer 12, except for the first segment 16 from the bottom which is connected perpendicularly to the plate 19 of the base portion 11.
The segments 16 are interconnected by film hinges 17 so that two consecutive spacers 12 are connected together by a hinged connection.
The top portion 13 is also connected to the trunk 15 via a film hinge 17.
When the support 10 is moved upwards in the receptacle 20, the tabs 18 of the base portion 11 come into abutment against the shoulder 24, thereby holding the support 10 inside the receptacle.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the support 10 is made as a single piece by molding a plastic material.
The applicators 30 are disposed between the spacers 12, with another applicator 30 being disposed beneath the top portion 13, as can be seen in particular in FIG. 4.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the applicators 30 present a circular outline 31, as shown in FIG. 3, with the diameter of the applicators 30 being slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the neck 22 of the receptacle, in the example described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the applicators 30 may be larger in size than the spacers 12, such that a portion 32 of each applicator extends beyond the spacers 12.
Nevertheless, the top portion 13 is advantageously of a size that allows it to cover the underlying applicator 30 in full, including the portion 32 thereof which projects beyond the corresponding spacer 12.
In a storage position, the spacers 12 may all extend parallel to one another. Two consecutive spacers may be configured to avoid flattening an applicator 30 placed between them, in particular in the vicinity of their ends 12 b, and in particular when in a storage position or while taking hold of an applicator.
The device 1 can be used as follows.
The user can remove the lid 23, as shown in FIG. 5, and can lift the top portion 13 in the direction of arrow F, as shown in FIG. 6.
When the top portion 13 is raised, the support 10 can also rise along the axis X, as shown in FIG. 7, with this upward movement optionally being made easier by the trunk 15 bearing against one side of the neck 22. Thus, pivoting the top portion 13 while the trunk 15 is bearing against the neck 22 can lead to the remainder of the support 10 rising relative to the receptacle and can lead to the support 10 taking up a fan-shaped configuration outside the receptacle, thereby making it easier to take hold of an applicator.
A user can take the applicator 30 situated immediately beneath the top portion 13, and then as more and more applicators are used, the user can take the following applicators 30 so as to reach, for example, the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 in which a plurality of spaces 42 between the spacers 12 are empty, although some applicators 30 still remain between the spacers situated inside the receptacle 20. When the last applicator 30 is taken, as shown in FIG. 9, the base portion 11 comes to bear, for example, against the shoulder 24 while the remainder of the support 10 presents a fan-shaped configuration.
While the user is taking an applicator 30, the risk of touching an adjacent applicator 30 is reduced.
In addition, each applicator 30 can slide relatively easily over the underlying spacer 12 such that it is easy to take hold of an applicator 30 without it being necessary to pinch the applicator 30 between fingernails.
Finally, when the receptacle 20 is filled with a liquid, the fact that the support 10 can be extracted in part from the receptacle enables the user to avoid dipping fingers into the liquid.
The packaging device may be manufactured as follows.
After being made in one-piece by molding a plastic, the support 10 is presented empty to a filler station, as shown in FIG. 10.
The trunk 15 may rest against a holder member 40 including a rounded top surface 41.
The top portion 13 of the support may be oriented substantially vertically so that the space 42 between the top portion and the adjacent spacer 12 takes on an upwardly-open V-shape.
The filler station includes a dispenser 45 housing a horizontal stack of applicators 30 and including a pusher 46 enabling the applicators 30 to be pushed along arrow P against a transfer member 47. In various exemplary embodiments, a transfer member is in the form of a roller which, by revolving, causes the applicator 30 that is in contact therewith to move downwards into the corresponding space 42 situated vertically below. As filling progresses, the base portion 11 of the support 10 is moved upwards, thereby enabling the trunk 15 to move over the rounded surface 41 of the holder member 40 and enabling the remaining empty spaces 42 to be presented in succession vertically beneath the dispenser 45, with the support 10 taking up a fan-shaped configuration while it is being filled, as shown in FIG. 11.
Once all of the applicators 30 are in place between the spacers 12, the support 10 can be closed up so that the spacers 12 are substantially parallel to one another, and then turned upside-down, as shown in FIG. 12, so as to enable the support 10 to be inserted into the body 21 of the receptacle 20.
During this insertion, the tabs 18 on the base portion 11 go through the neck 22 while deforming elastically in a radially-inward direction, as shown in FIG. 13.
Thereafter, the receptacle can be turned right side up and filled, for example, with a liquid that is to impregnate the applicators 30, after which the lid 23 is put into place, as shown in FIG. 14.
In various exemplary embodiments, a receptacle is not filled with any liquid, the applicators being impregnated with at least one substance prior to being put into place between the spacers 12.
Naturally, the invention is not restricted to the exemplary embodiments described above.
In particular, the shape of the top portion 13 of the support 10 can be modified, for example it need not cover the underlying applicator 30 in full, as is shown in FIG. 15, where the top portion 13 presents two opposite straight sides.
In various exemplary embodiments, it is possible to form the top portion 13 with a central opening 49, as shown in FIG. 16.
In various exemplary embodiments, it is possible to form applicators to have a shape that is not circular. For example, applicators 30 may be square in shape, as shown in FIG. 17, or rectangular, as shown in FIG. 18.
In various exemplary embodiments, applicators 30 may be include a variety of structures. For example, applicators may include at least one layer of a woven or non-woven fabric, a layer of foam or a layer having a coating of flocking.
In various exemplary embodiments, applicators 30 may be made as a multilayer structure, e.g., comprising two outer layers 51 and 52 for containing different substances and an intermediate layer 53 that is impermeable and situated between the outer layers. The presence of spacers 12 makes it possible to avoid contact between a layer 52 of one applicator 30 and a layer 51 of an adjacent applicator 30. Such an arrangement is advantageous, for example, when substances contained in layers 51 and 52 are incompatible.
While this invention has been described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments and examples outlined above, various alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements and/or substantial equivalents, whether known or that are or may be-presently unforeseen, may become apparent to those having at least ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the invention is intended to embrace all known or later developed alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements and/or substantial equivalents.

Claims

1. A packaging device, comprising:

a plurality of applicators; and

a support for receiving the applicators;

wherein:

the support comprises a plurality of spacers disposed between the applicators;

two consecutive spacers are interconnected at one end in a hinged manner; and

the support is a single piece of a molded plastic material.

2. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein the plastic material is a polyolefin.

3. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein two consecutive spacers are interconnected by a film hinge.

4. The packaging device of claim 1, comprising a receptacle, the support being situated inside the receptacle.

5. The packaging device of claim 4, wherein the receptacle comprises a body and a lid, the lid being releasably secured to the body.

6. The packaging device of claim 5, wherein the lid is configured to be secured to the body in a leak-tight manner.

7. The packaging device of claim 5, wherein the receptacle comprises a threaded neck and the lid is configured to be screwed onto the neck.

8. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein each applicator is impregnated with at least one substance.

9. The packaging device of claim 8, wherein the substance is a liquid or a powder.

10. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein the applicators are impregnated by a substance filling the receptacle.

11. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein at least one applicator has two faces impregnated by different substances.

12. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein the spacers are arranged to prevent contact between faces of the applicators carried by the support.

13. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein the support is arranged to cooperate with the receptacle to prevent the support from being completely removed from the receptacle.

14. The packaging device of claim 13, wherein the support comprises a base portion arranged to pass through an opening of the receptacle by deforming elastically and to prevent the support from being completely removed from the receptacle.

15. The packaging device of claim 14, wherein when the support is in a storage configuration, the support stands on a bottom of the receptacle via the base portion of the support.

16. The packaging device of claim 14, wherein the base portion comprises a plurality of elastically deformable tabs.

17. The packaging device of claim 14, wherein each tab comprises a portion extending radially outwards, the portion being extended downwards by a chamfered bottom portion making the support easier to insert into the receptacle.

18. The packaging device of claim 16, wherein the receptacle comprises a neck defining a shoulder at a bottom end, the tabs abutting against the shoulder to retain the support inside the receptacle.

19. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein the spacers comprise plates.

20. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein the spacers are of a transverse size that is smaller than a transverse size of the applicators.

21. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein the spacers extend substantially parallel to one another and in a substantially equidistant manner when the support is in a storage configuration.

22. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein the spacers are configured so that when the support is in a storage configuration, at least one applicator extends beyond a spacer that is contiguous with the applicator.

23. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein the spacers are arranged such that when the support is in a storage configuration, at least one applicator extends beyond the spacer on a side remote from a hinged side.

24. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises from ten to thirty applicators.

25. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein the applicators are disk-shaped.

26. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein the applicators have a thickness in a the range of from 0.5 mm to 3 mm.

27. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein the support comprises a top portion connected in a hinged manner to an adjacent spacer.

28. The packaging device of claim 27, wherein the top portion is provided with a handle member.

29. The packaging device of claim 28, wherein the handle member is in the form of an outwardly-directed tongue.

30. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein the support comprises a top portion having a transverse size that is greater than a transverse size of the spacers, and a transverse size that is slightly greater than a transverse size of the applicators.

31. The packaging device of claim 27, wherein the top portion completely covers an underlying applicator.

32. The packaging device of claim 27, wherein the top portion has an opening passing therethrough.

33. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein two consecutive spacers are configured to prevent flattening of an applicator placed between the spacers.

34. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein the support comprises a trunk carrying the spacers and all the spacers extend from a same side of the trunk.

35. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein all of the spacers are identical.

36. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein each spacer comprises two ends and wherein the two ends of the spacers are vertically superimposed when the device is in a storage configuration.

37. A method of treating skin, mucous membranes, nails or hair with the packaging device of claim 1, comprising:

causing at least one spacer to pivot relative to another spacer to bring an applicator situated between the two spacers into a position enabling the applicator to be taken; and

taking the applicator and applying a cosmetic with the applicator.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein prior to taking the applicator, the support is extracted in part from a receptacle that enables applicators to be packaged hermetically or to be impregnated with the cosmetic.

39. A method of manufacturing the packaging device of claim 1, comprising:

obtaining a filler station with a support comprising a plurality of spacers interconnected at one end in a hinged manner; and

inserting applicators between the spacers.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein inserting applicators is performed by spacing apart two consecutive spacers so that they form an upwardly-open V-shape, and causing an applicator to slide vertically between the consecutive spacers.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein the applicators for insertion between the spacers are stacked in a dispenser provided with a pusher enabling the applicators to be pressed one by one against a transfer member.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein the transfer member comprises a roller that is driven in rotation.

43. The method of claim 39, wherein during filling the support comes to bear against a holder member, and a base portion of the support is moved vertically to cause or accompany movement of the support relative to the holder member.

44. The method of claim 39, wherein the support is inserted in a folded-up state into a receptacle.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the support is configured to pass through an opening of the receptacle by elastically-deforming a base portion.

46. The method of claim 44, wherein the receptacle is filled at least in part with a liquid and is closed hermetically.

47. A packaging device, comprising:

a receptacle;

a plurality of applicators; and

a support for receiving the applicators;

wherein:

the support comprises a plurality of spacers having one end and being disposed between the applicators;

two consecutive spacers are interconnected at one end in a hinged manner; and

the support comprises a base portion arranged to go through an opening of the receptacle by deforming elastically and to prevent the support from being completely removed from the receptacle.

48. The device of claim 43, wherein the two consecutive spacers are interconnected by a film hinge.

49. The device of claim 47, wherein the receptacle comprises a threaded neck and a lid, the lid being arranged to be screwed onto the neck.

50. The device of claim 47, wherein each applicator is impregnated with at least one substance.

51. The device of claim 50, wherein the substance is a liquid or a powder.

52. The device of claim 47, wherein the applicators are impregnated by a substance filling the receptacle.

53. The device of claim 47, wherein at least one applicator has two faces, each face being impregnated by a different substance.

54. The device of claim 47, wherein the spacers are configured to prevent contact between faces of applicators carried by the support.

55. The device of claim 47, wherein when the support is in a storage configuration, the support stands on a bottom of the receptacle via the base portion of the support.

56. The device of claim 55, wherein the base portion comprises a plurality of elastically-deformable tabs.

57. The device of claim 56, wherein each tab comprises a portion extending radially outwards, the portion being extended downwards by a chamfered bottom portion and facilitating insertion of the support into the receptacle.

58. The device of claim 56, wherein the receptacle comprises a neck defining a shoulder at a bottom end, the tabs abutting against the shoulder to retain the support inside the receptacle.

59. The device of claim 47, wherein the spacers comprise plates.

60. The device of claim 47, wherein the spacers are of a transverse size that is smaller than a transverse size of the applicators.

61. The device of claim 47, wherein the spacers extend substantially parallel to one another and in a substantially equidistant manner when the support is in a storage configuration.

62. The device of claim 47, wherein the spacers are arranged in such a manner that when the support is in a storage configuration, at least one applicator extends beyond a spacer contiguous with the applicator.

63. The device of claim 47, wherein the spacers are arranged such that when the support is in a storage configuration, at least one applicator extends beyond the spacer on a side remote from a hinged side.

64. The device of claim 47, wherein the device comprises from ten to thirty applicators.

65. The device of claim 47, wherein the applicators are disk-shaped.

66. The device of claim 47, wherein the applicators have a thickness of from 0.5 mm to 3 mm.

67. The device of claim 47, wherein the support comprises a top portion connected in a hinged manner to an adjacent spacer.

68. The device of claim 67, wherein the top portion is provided with a handle member.

69. The device of claim 68, wherein the handle member is in the form of an outwardly-directed tongue.

70. The device of claim 67, wherein the top portion presents a transverse size that is greater than a transverse size of the spacers and a transverse size that is greater than a transverse size of the applicators.

71. The device of claim 67, wherein the top portion completely covers an underlying applicator.

72. The device of claim 67, wherein the top portion has an opening passing therethrough.

73. The device of claim 47, wherein two consecutive spacers are configured to prevent flattening of an applicator placed between the spacers.

74. The device of claim 47, wherein the support comprises a trunk carrying the spacers and wherein all the spacers extend from the same side of the trunk.

75. The device of claim 47, wherein all of the spacers are identical.

76. The device of claim 47, wherein each spacer comprises two ends and the two ends of the spacers are vertically superimposed when the device is in a storage configuration.

77. A method for treating skin, mucous membranes, nails or hair using the packaging device of claim 47, comprising:

taking the applicator and applying a substance by means of the applicator.

78. The method of claim 77, wherein prior to taking an applicator, the support is extracted in part from a receptacle that enables applicators to be packaged hermetically or that enables applicators to be impregnated with the substance.

79. A method of manufacturing the packaging device of claim 47, comprising:

inserting applicators between the spacers.

80. The method of claim 79, wherein inserting applicators is performed by spacing apart two consecutive spacers so that they form an upwardly-open V-shape and causing an applicator to slide vertically between the two consecutive spacers.

81. The method of claim 80, wherein the applicators are stacked in a dispenser provided with a pusher enabling the applicators to be pressed one by one against a transfer member.

82. The method of claim 81, wherein the transfer member comprises a roller that is driven in rotation.

83. The method of claim 79, wherein, during filling, a trunk of the support comprising hinges interconnecting the spacers comes to bear against a holder member, and the base portion of the support is moved vertically to cause or accompany movement of the support relative to the holder member.

84. The method of claim 79, wherein the support is inserted in a folded-up state into a receptacle.

85. The method of claim 84, wherein the support is configured for passing through an opening of the receptacle by elastically-deforming a base portion.

86. The method of claim 84, wherein the receptacle is filled at least in part with a liquid and is closed hermetically.