US20130287468A1

US20130287468A1 - Ergonomic Lip Product Applicator

Info

Publication number: US20130287468A1
Application number: US13/456,514
Authority: US
Inventors: James Dominic Roppa
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-04-26
Filing date: 2012-04-26
Publication date: 2013-10-31

Abstract

An ergonomic lip product applicator that incorporates the contours of a user's hand and/or leg. An embodiment of an ergonomic lip product applicator comprises a substantially crescent-shaped tubular housing with concave and convex surfaces. An embodiment of an ergonomic lip product applicator is capable of being comfortably stored in a user's pocket and advances the ease of lip product application.

Description

FIELD

The present invention relates to lip product applicators, in particular an ergonomic lip product applicator that incorporates the contours of a user's hand and/or leg.

BACKGROUND

There are numerous lip product applicators available in the market today. The uses of such applicators include the application of lip sticks, lip balms, lip glosses, and the like. Very little advancements have been made to the design of the container of such applicators. Most are substantially cylindrical or rectangular in shape. Such designs can be bulky in the pocket of a user, and can cause discomfort when carried in a user's shirt or pants pocket for even transitory duration. Furthermore, such applicators can be awkward to use or difficult to hold.
What is needed, therefore, is a lip product applicator that is capable of being comfortably stored in a user's pocket and advances the ease of lip product application.

SUMMARY

An embodiment is an ergonomic lip product applicator comprising a first convex surface; a second concave surface integrally attached to the first convex surface, the convex surface and the concave surface defining walls as coupled; an interior portion defined by the walls of the convex surface and the concave surface; an upper opening defined by a distal perimeter of the convex surface and the concave surface, the upper opening being a terminal end of the inner portion defined by the walls of the convex surface and the concave surface; a carrier in contact with the walls, the carrier being housed inside the inner portion; a base coupled to a lower opening defined by a proximal perimeter of the concave surface and the convex surface, the base defining a terminal point for the interior portion; and a threaded stem operably attached to the movable support, the threaded stem rotatably coupled to the base and extending substantially throughout the interior portion.
Another embodiment is a lip product applicator comprising a substantially crescent-shaped tubular housing; a substantially transparent window running along a wall of the tubular housing; a carrier housed in an interior portion of the tubular housing; and a dispensing mechanism operably engaged with the movable support.
These and other advantages will become clearer in the following drawings, descriptions, and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective and top perspective of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross section of an embodiment of the invention and a bottom perspective of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a side perspective of a cross section of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a side perspective of an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in conjunction with these embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the invention to these embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
An ergonomic lip product applicator 10 in accordance with an embodiment of an application is illustrated in FIGS. 1-5. FIG. 1 is a front perspective and top perspective of an embodiment of the invention. In an embodiment, ergonomic lip product applicator 10 has a cap 11 that is removably engaged with a body member 12. Body member 12 and cap 11 may be of substantially the same dimensions, permitting body member 12 and cap 11 to fit together when engaged and be detached by a user. Body member 12 and cap 11 may be substantially crescent-shaped. In an embodiment, body member 12 and cap 11 may be comprised of a convex surface and a concave surface. The arc of the convex surface may be in the range of 55 degrees to 85 degrees, although other ranges and other shapes are anticipated. The convex surface and the concave surface may form the basic shape of ergonomic lip product applicator 10. The substantially crescent-shape of the above elements provides benefit to a lip product user in a number of ways. First, the shape contours to a user's leg when stored in the user's pocket. This provides enhanced comfort to the user and prevents bulky or bulging pockets when ergonomic lip product applicator 10 is stored in a user's pocket. Second, the shape contours to the user's hand for ease of use when applying a lip product.
In an embodiment, body member 12 may be tubular. The tubular member may have at least one wall defining an interior portion of body member 12. The tubular member may terminate at an opening 15 and may include an inner portion capable of receiving a lip product 21. Opening 15 may be used to fill, dispense, and apply various lip products. Body member 12 may be coupled to base member 13. Base member 13 may be of substantially the same shape as body member 12, although other shapes are anticipated. Base member 13 may include finger wheel 14. Body member 12 when engaged with cap 11 may have a length in the range of 1″ to 3″. Body member 12 may have a width in the range of ½″ to 1½″.
FIG. 2 is a cross section of an embodiment of the invention and a bottom perspective of an embodiment of the invention. In an embodiment, body member 12 may be filled with a lip product 21. Lip product 21 may include lip stick, lip gloss, lip balm, beeswax, paraffin wax, petroleum-based substance, Oxybenzone wax substance, a camphor wax substance, and the like. A threaded stem 22 may be engaged with a finger wheel 14. Threaded stem 22 may be housed inside body member 12. Threaded stem 22 may be substituted for any applicable dispensing mechanism, including an interlocking mechanism or push mechanism. Threaded stem 22 may be engaged with carrier 23. Carrier 23 may be threaded to engage with threaded stem 22. When threaded stem 22 is engaged with finger wheel 14, carrier 23 may be moved upward or downward depending on clockwise or counter-clockwise rotation of finger wheel 14. In an embodiment, when carrier 23 is moved upward by rotating finger wheel 14, lip product 21 may be incrementally pushed out of opening 15. Carrier 23 may also be used to dispense lip product 21 through alternate mechanisms, such as a push mechanism.
FIG. 3 is a side perspective of a cross section of an embodiment of the invention. In an embodiment, carrier 23 is of substantially similar shape and may remain in direct contact with the inside of body member 12. FIG. 4 is a side perspective of an embodiment of the invention. In an embodiment, body member 12 may have a label or opaque film 41. Body member 12 may have a level indicator 42. Level indicator 42 may a substantially transparent or substantially translucent window. Level indicator 42 may run substantially throughout a lateral side or length of body member 12. Level indicator 42 permits a user to view the amount of lip product 21 within body member 12. A user can utilize level indicator 42 to determine how much lip product 21 remains and when to purchase or change lip product applicators.
Although the present invention has been described with several embodiments, numerous changes, substitutions, variations, alterations, and modifications may be suggested to one skilled in the art, and it is intended that the invention encompass all such changes, substitutions, variations, alterations, and modifications as fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An ergonomic lip product applicator comprising:

a first convex surface;

a second concave surface integrally attached to the first convex surface, the convex surface and the concave surface defining walls as coupled;

an interior portion defined by the walls of the convex surface and the concave surface;

an upper opening defined by a distal perimeter of the convex surface and the concave surface, the upper opening being a terminal end of the inner portion defined by the walls of the convex surface and the concave surface;

a carrier in contact with the walls, the carrier being housed inside the inner portion;

a base coupled to a lower opening defined by a proximal perimeter of the concave surface and the convex surface, the base defining a terminal point for the interior portion; and

a threaded stem operably attached to the movable support, the threaded stem rotatably coupled to the base and extending substantially throughout the interior portion.

2. The ergonomic lip product applicator of claim 1 further comprising a cap, the cap being of substantially the same dimensions as the first convex surface and the second concave surface.

3. The ergonomic lip product applicator of claim 1 wherein the first convex surface and the second concave surface are coupled at substantially semi-circular end points.

4. The ergonomic lip product applicator of claim 1 wherein the ergonomic applicator is substantially crescent-shaped.

5. The ergonomic lip product applicator of claim 1 further comprising a substantially transparent window running substantially vertically along the length of the ergonomic lip product applicator.

6. The ergonomic lip product applicator of claim 1 further comprising a finger wheel operably engaged with the threaded stem.

7. The ergonomic lip product applicator of claim 1 wherein the first convex surface and the second concave surface have a width in the range of ½″ to 1½″.

8. The ergonomic lip product applicator of claim 1 wherein the walls have a length in the range of 1″ to 3″.

9. The ergonomic lip product applicator of claim 1 wherein the first convex surface has an arc in the range of 55 degrees to 85 degrees.

10. The ergonomic lip product applicator of claim 2 wherein the cap is removably coupled to the upper opening.

11. A lip product applicator comprising:

a substantially crescent-shaped tubular housing, the tubular housing having at least one wall;

a substantially transparent window running along the at least one wall of the tubular housing;

a carrier housed in an interior portion of the tubular housing; and

a dispensing mechanism operably engaged with the movable support.

12. The lip product applicator of claim 11 wherein the dispensing mechanism is a threaded stem, the threaded stem running substantially throughout the tubular housing.

13. The lip product applicator of claim 11 wherein the dispensing mechanism is operably engaged with a finger wheel.

14. The lip product applicator of claim 11 wherein the substantially crescent-shaped tubular housing has a width in the range of ½″ to 1½″.

15. The lip product applicator of claim 11 wherein the substantially crescent-shaped tubular housing has a length in the range of 1″ to 3″.

16. The lip product applicator of claim 13 wherein the finger wheel has a diameter in the range of ⅛″ to ¼″.

17. An apparatus comprising:

a substantially crescent-shaped tubular housing;

a carrier housed in an interior portion of the tubular housing, the carrier being in contact with the tubular housing; and

a dispensing mechanism operably engaged with the carrier.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the tubular housing is filled with a substance selected from the group consisting of beeswax, paraffin wax, petroleum-based substance, Oxybenzone wax substance, and camphor wax substance.

19. The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising a substantially transparent window running substantially throughout a lateral side of the tubular housing.

20. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the substance is in contact with the carrier.