The invention relates to an apparatus for storing and applying a flowable substance, in particular a cosmetic substance, with a container having an insertion opening for the storage of the substance, an application device and a mixing device which is adjustable from a first to a second operating position, wherein a path exists along which the application device through the insertion opening can be brought into a loading position within the container.

An apparatus of the aforementioned kind is known from US 3,204,283. In the known apparatus, the mixing device is adjusted in such a way that it is pressed against the bottom of the container, as a result of which individual segments slide along the bottom of the container for the adjustment from the first to the second operating position.

Corresponding requirements must be made to the bottom in order to enable the sliding mentioned. It must be sufficiently smooth. In addition, at least one end of the segments abuts respectively against the bottom, for which reason it can hardly be used for mixing.

It is an object of the invention to further develop the apparatus of the aforementioned kind in such a way that its manufacture is simplified and the mixing device is more effective.

According to the invention, this object is achieved in such a way that the mixing device has an adjustment region with which it, in the first operating position, projects into the path of the application device, and the application device in the loading position urges the mixing device into the second operating position by abutting against the adjustment region.

Due to this construction, no part of the mixing device needs to slide along the bottom. Rather, the adjustment takes place by abutting the application device against the adjustment region. Also, it is not necessary that a part of the mixing device abuts against the bottom in the operating position corresponding to the loading position. Therefore, the apparatus ac cording to the invention is not only simpler to manufacture, but the mixing device is also more effective, since, because of its position at the time when the application device is in the loading position, it does not require any abutment against the container.

DE 19520 134 A1 discloses a device for applying pasty masses, in particular mascara, in which the application device is used to spread a wiper, wherein a spring is provided in order to allow the wiper to abut optimally against the application element in each operating position.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that a distance of the mixing device measured in the direction transverse to the path of the application device from a wall of the container in the first operating position is greater than in the second oper ating position.

This embodiment makes use of the fact that a smaller distance from the wall leads to a bet ter mixing result. However, if the mixing device, from the start, were designed in such a way that it has as small a distance as possible from the container wall, it would be difficult to bring the mixing device into the container through the insertion opening (usually not too large).

According to the invention, the mixing device is further preferably biased by an elastic restoring force into the first operating position. As a result, it always assumes the first operating position, when the application device is not located in the container.

The elastic restoring force can result from an inherent elasticity of the material used for the mixing device. An example of a suitable material is polypropylene (PR).

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the mixing device has two or more segments, preferably four. In this embodiment, each individual segment can assume two operating positions and for this purpose can also each have its own adjustment region, so that the adjustment of all segments takes place by inserting the application device into the container.

The segments can be designed in one piece with one another, for example by slitting a suitable blank over two thirds or more of its longitudinal extent. According to the invention, the mixing device or the segments thereof are preferably designed to be particularly unfavourable in terms of flow. For this purpose, the mixing device preferably has at least one fin, a helical, a wing or a spike. Through-openings can also be provided, through which the substance flows during mixing.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the application device is rotationally coupled to the mixing device in the state inserted into the container, in particular by means of a frictional connection or a form closure. Thus, it can be designed in such a way that it is coupleable to the container by means of a screw de vice.

Thereby it is achieved that the mixing device is set in rotation when the screw device is screwed on or unscrewed, as a result of which a mixing effect is achieved.

Ultimately, according to the invention, it is particularly preferably provided that the application device has an application element and a holder, wherein, in the loading position, the holder abuts against the adjustment region of the mixing device and urges it into the sec ond operating position.

As a consequence, the actual application element is relieved of the interaction with the ad justment region. Thus, it could be impaired by the pressure required for adjusting the mixing device by the adjustment region.

In the following, the invention is explained in more detail with the help of preferred exempla ry embodiments with reference to the attached drawing, with further details.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic sectional view of a preferred exemplary embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention in the closed state,

Fig. 2 shows the same view as Fig. 1 , but in the open state and only partially cut,

Fig. 3 shows the lower part of Fig. 2 on an enlarged scale,

Fig. 4 shows a further enlarged section of Fig. 3, Fig. 5 shows the upper part of Fig. 2 on an enlarged scale and Figs. 6 to 11 show perspective views of alternative embodiments of the mixing device of the apparatus according to the invention.

The exemplary embodiment of the invention illustrated in figures 1 to 5 includes a mixing device 1 plugged onto a wiper 2. Both are inserted together into a container 3. The mixing device 1 has, on its inner side, a first profile 4 which is complementary to a sec ond profile 4a on a holder 6, which holds an application element 5, in such a way that it can serve for the rotary coupling of the mixing device 1 with the holder 6. Instead of the two profiles 4 and 4a, contours deviating from the circular shape can also be provided on the inner side of the mixing device 1 and on the outer side of the holder 6 for rotary coupling, for example in an oval shape. Additionally or alternatively, a frictional connec tion can also be used for rotary coupling. A cap 7 screwable onto the container 3 is pro vided on the end of the holder 6 opposite the application element 5.

The application element 5 and the holder 6 together form an application device.

If the holder 6 with the application element 5 is not located inside the container 3, as illustrated in figure 2, an adjustment region 8 on the mixing device 1 projects into that path along which the application element 5 and the holder 6 move during insertion into the container 3. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in figures 1 to 5, said path coincides with the longitudinal axis L of the container and is designated by the reference numeral 9.

The operating position of the mixing device 1 shown in figure 2, in which its adjustment region 8 projects into the path 9, is referred to below as the first operating position.

Figure 1 shows a second operating position of the mixing device 1. In this second operating position, the mixing device 1 is spread compared to the first operating position since the holder 6 presses the mixing device 1 outwards by abutting against the adjustment region 8. As a result, the distance of the mixing device 1 from the side wall of the container 3 is reduced, which is advantageous for mixing a flowable substance in the container 3.

In order to reach the open position according to figure 2 (or vice versa) from the closed operating position of the apparatus according to figure 1 , the cap 7 is unscrewed from the container 3 or screwed onto the container 3. The associated rotational movement of the cap 7 and thus of the holder 6 is transmitted to the mixing device 1 via the profiles 4 and 4a, so that the mixing device 1 rotates about the longitudinal axis L during screwing and unscrewing. This rotational movement mixes the substance in the container 3.

The mixing device 1 is elastically adjustable. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in figures 1 to 5, this elastic adjustment is achieved in such a way that it is made of poly propylene (PP). It is biased into the first operating position shown in figure 2, for which reason it then automatically assumes the first operating position according to figure 2 starting from the operating position according to figure 1 when the holder 6 with the ap plication element 5 is pulled out of the container 3.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in figures 1 to 5, the mixing device 1 has angled wings, of which one is designated by way of example by the reference numeral 10. The wings 10 are each formed on a segment of the mixing device 1, wherein the mixing device 1 has, in total, four such segments having each a row of wings 10. The segments are each arranged at an angular distance of 90 ^° with respect to one another (as viewed around the longitudinal axis L). However, there can also be two, three or more than four segments.

Figure 6 shows an embodiment of the mixing device 1 which is similar to that according to figures 1 to 5. In turn, four segments each with a row of angled wings are provided.

The mixing device according to figure 7 differs from that according to figure 6 in that the wings are straight. The mixing device according to figure 8 is very similar to that according to figure 6, wherein, though, the wings are perforated.

In connection with the mixing device according to figure 9, the wings have a rhombic form.

Figure 10 shows an embodiment of the mixing device with only two segments and also only two wings.

Instead of the wings, there can also be provided fins or spikes on the mixing device. Moreover, helical structures are also conceivable within the scope of the invention, for example as illustrated in figure 11 in which a structure similar to a turbine is present.

The features of the invention disclosed in the above description, the claims and the drawing can be essential both individually and in arbitrary combinations for the realization of the invention in its various embodiments.