Abstract:
An applicator assembly is disclosed having a rotating applicator, a controller, and an LED. A fragrance, cosmetic or other substance, preferably liquid, gelatinous, semi-fluid, or semi-solid, is applied to the user or object by pressing dragging the rolling applicator onto an application surface. As the applicator is dragged, the rolling applicator rotates and distributes the fragrance, cosmetic or other substance onto the application surface. In addition, as the rolling applicator rotates, the controller can generate signals based on movement of the rolling applicator that are used to vary an attribute of light emitting from one or more LEDs. Movement of the rotating applicator preferably causes a change in the wavelength or intensity of the one or more LEDs.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The field of the invention is applicators. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The description herein includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art. 
     Applicators for cosmetics, such as ChapStick®, lip balm, or lip gloss, and applicators for fragrances are small items that are regularly carried by people. However, known applicators are generally single purpose items that lack any additional utility or interesting aspect. Some effort has been made to improve the utility of these applicators. For example, one known lip balm applicator available on the Alibaba Group&#39;s website incorporates LED lights at the base, opposite the lip balm end, for use as a flash light. However, these applicators apparently fail to help in low light situations to light the area of application. 
     Use of cosmetic and fragrance applicators in low light settings, such as night clubs or concerts, can be a difficult task. Efforts have been made to improve the ease of using these applicators in low light settings. As seen in U.S. Pat. No. 8,599,306 issued to Rolston, and U.S. Pat. No. 9,101,193 issued to Liu, bright LED lights have been incorporated into some applicators, which can shine light on the point of application. 
     All publications herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply. 
     However, the above referenced lights are harsh and brighter than necessary. They act as an eyesore and disrupt the fun and exciting atmosphere found in low light settings such as clubs and concerts. 
     Some other efforts have been made to improve the aesthetic appeal of cosmetic applicators and turn them into fun accessories, while still providing some ambient light when using the applicator. For example, some cases for solid form lip balms (i.e., EOS solid lip balm cases) have been altered to include flashing, multicolored LED lights that shine through the lip balm and the case. However, the LED light and color apparently cannot be controlled by the user or selectively turned on and off, and the lip balm case is not suitable for non-solid cosmetics and fragrances. 
     Thus, there remains a need for improved cosmetic, fragrance, and other applicators. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventive subject matter provides systems, apparatus, and methods for applying cosmetics or fragrances using a rolling applicator equipped with an LED that changes at least one of color and intensity as the applicator rolls. 
     One aspect of the inventive subject matter includes an applicator assembly for applying cosmetics or fragrances. Such applicator includes a housing, and a rounded applicator rotatably coupled to or near the end of the housing. A controller can be disposed or set in an interior wall of the housing such that the controller moves in response to a movement of the rounded applicator. A light source can be at least partially disposed within a part of the housing, and electrically coupled to the controller such that an attribute of the light emitted from the light source (e.g. wavelength, amplitude, frequency, or intensity) changes as the controller moves or is otherwise affected by the rounded applicator. It is contemplated that a flowable substance, such as perfume, lip gloss, fluid, gel, semi-fluid, semi-solid cosmetics, or any combination thereof can be inside the housing and applied via the rounded applicator. 
     In some aspects of the inventive subject matter, an applicator assembly includes a housing including two ends, and an optionally narrowed passage within the housing disposed between the two ends. A rotating applicator can be positioned at one end of the housing adjacent one end of the passage, and a controller can be coupled to the wall of the housing, optionally at least partially within the wall&#39;s thickness. The controller can advantageously be positioned such that part of its surface contacts part the rotating applicator surface. A light source can be included, for example embedded in the housing wall&#39;s thickness, and coupled to the controller and a power source. 
     Alternatively, the controller, light source, or any other component(s) can be disposed within the housing&#39;s interior space, and coupled to an inner surface of the housing&#39;s wall. In these and some other contemplated embodiments, the passage may not necessarily be narrowed, and can even be widened, to accommodate the component(s) disposed within the housing&#39;s interior space. 
     In some embodiments, the application surface is rounded, preferably spherical. The controller can also be rounded, and can be rotatably coupled to the housing wall. In some embodiments, the controller is at least partially embedded in the housing wall. 
     In one aspect of the inventive subject matter, the light source is a LED. It is contemplated that the applicator can include more than one light source (e.g., at least 2, at least 3, at least 5, or even more light sources). In some embodiments the controller changes an attribute of the light emitted from at least one of the light sources (e.g. wavelength, amplitude, frequency, or intensity). Preferably, the controller changes an attribute of the light in response to a movement of the rotating applicator. 
     In some embodiments, a power source is further included. The power source can be in electrical communication with the controller. The power source can further be in electrical communication with a power switch, and the power switch connected to the controller. At least a portion of the power switch can extend past an outer surface of the applicator housing. 
     The rotating applicator can be rotatably seated at least partially within a socket positioned at an end of the applicator assembly. The controller can be at least partially embedded in the housing wall, with a portion of the controller&#39;s surface configured to contact a surface of the rotating applicator. A movement of the rolling applicator can change an attribute of light emitted from the light source via the controller. 
     In some embodiments, the lights source is an LED embedded in the housing wall and positioned in a socket portion of the wall. It is contemplated that the LED can be positioned in any portion of the applicator housing, including above the controller, below the controller, near a power switch, within a housing wall&#39;s thickness, or in the interior portion of the housing. Further, multiple LEDs can be positioned in multiple points in the applicator housing, including extending towards either or both ends of the applicator housing. 
     In some embodiments, the applicator housing, the rotating applicator, and the controller are at least partially made of plastic, but can also be made partially or exclusively of plastic, rubber, metal, wood, ceramic, silica, or a composite material. 
     It is contemplated that the applicator assembly can further comprise a cap, which can be removably coupled to the applicator housing. In some embodiments, a portion of the outer housing of the applicator can be shaped to mate with part of the cap. It is contemplated that when the cap is coupled to the applicator housing, a circuit connecting the power source to the controller can be open. Removing the cap from the applicator housing can close the circuit, which can at least one of activate the light source, and permit the light source to be controlled by the controller. 
     As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
     As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term “coupled to” is intended to include both direct coupling (in which two elements that are coupled to each other contact each other) and indirect coupling (in which at least one additional element is located between the two elements). Therefore, the terms “coupled to” and “coupled with” are used synonymously. 
     Unless the context dictates the contrary, all ranges set forth herein should be interpreted as being inclusive of their endpoints, and open-ended ranges should be interpreted to include commercially practical values. Similarly, all lists of values should be considered as inclusive of intermediate values unless the context indicates the contrary. 
     The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention. 
     Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims. 
     Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         FIG. 1  is a side profile and a top down view of an applicator tip attached to a reservoir bottle. 
         FIG. 2  is a side profile and a top down view of an applicator tip attached to a reservoir tube. 
         FIGS. 3A-3C  are vertical cross section views of an applicator cap and an applicator tip attached to a reservoir, with the light source disposed at different positions within the applicator assembly. 
         FIG. 4  is a vertical cross section view of an applicator cap and an applicator tip attached to a reservoir. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following discussion provides many example embodiments of the inventive subject matter. Although each embodiment represents a single combination of inventive elements, the inventive subject matter is considered to include all possible combinations of the disclosed elements. Thus if one embodiment comprises elements A, B, and C, and a second embodiment comprises elements B and D, then the inventive subject matter is also considered to include other remaining combinations of A, B, C, or D, even if not explicitly disclosed. 
     The inventive subject matter provides apparatus, systems, and methods for applying cosmetics or fragrances using a rolling applicator equipped with an LED that changes color and intensity as the applicator moves (e.g., rolls). 
       FIG. 1  depicts applicator assembly  100  comprising applicator tip  110  and reservoir bottle  120 . In some embodiments, reservoir bottle  120  can be filled with a fragrance or cosmetic substance, such as a liquid, gel, cream, oil, semi-solid, or solid. It should be appreciated that reservoir tube  220  can be made out of many materials, including glass, plastic, metal, rubber, or any other commercially suitable material. It should also be appreciated that when reservoir tube  220  is made of pliable material, such as plastic or rubber, the bottle can be squeezed during application of the cosmetic or fragrance. This allows the user to apply force in order to emit the applied substance from the applicator, and thus can permit the application of substances having a viscosity greater than, for example, 2 pascal-second (Pa·S) at 20° C. 
     Applicator tip  110  is depicted as coupled to reservoir bottle  120 , but it should be appreciated that tip  110  and bottle  120  can be a single piece (e.g. die cast, injection molded), can be removably attached (e.g. via latch, via male and female threaded fastening, via mated groves, via lock), or can be permanently coupled (e.g. via adhesive, via fused surface). It should also be appreciated that applicator tip  110  and reservoir bottle  120  could be indirectly coupled to one another. 
     Applicator tip  110  comprises applicator housing  130 . The surface of applicator housing  130  includes notch  140  in the embodiment shown. Notch  140  is sized and dimensioned such that it can mate with a portion of a cap, such as protrusion  392  of cap  390 . Applicator tip  110  further comprises power switch  150 . As depicted, power switch  150  protrudes through a portion of applicator housing  130 , but it should be appreciated that switch  150  could be positioned in a recession of housing  130  or embedded within the wall of housing  130 . 
     Applicator tip  110  further comprises rolling applicator  160 . As depicted, rolling applicator  160  is spherical in shape, but it should be appreciated that rolling applicator  160  can be a curved surface, a cylinder, an ovoid, or any other rounded object capable of rolling. Rolling applicator  160  is sized and dimensioned to sit within an open end of applicator tip  110 . 
     Applicator tip  110  further comprises LEDs  170  and  180 . As depicted, LEDs  170  and  180  are positioned at a rim portion of applicator tip  110  near rolling applicator  160 . It should be appreciated that LEDs  170  and  180  can be positioned at any location of applicator assembly, including within reservoir bottle  120  or within the wall of applicator tip  110 . As depicted, LEDs  170  and  180  are both light emitting diodes, but it should be appreciated that LEDs  170  and  180  can be any commercially suitable light source(s), including electroluminescent panels, LEDs, and incandescent bulbs. 
       FIG. 2  depicts applicator assembly  200  comprising applicator tip  210  and reservoir tube  220 . All elements having similar numbering as  FIG. 1  (i.e., the same last two numbers) have the same features as described in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIGS. 3A-C  depict a vertical cross section of applicator assembly  300  with different LED positionings. Applicator assembly  300  comprises applicator tip  310 , reservoir  380 , and cap  390 . As depicted, applicator tip  310  is removably coupled to reservoir  380  via mated reservoir groves  382  and housing groves  335 . It should be appreciated that tip  110  and bottle  120  can be a single piece (e.g. die cast), can be removably attached (e.g. via latch, via mated groves, via lock), or can be permanently coupled (e.g. via adhesive, via fused surface). 
     Applicator tip  310  comprises rolling applicator  320 , housing wall  330 , controller  340 , power source  350 , LED  360 , and power switch  370 . Housing wall  330  comprises the body of applicator tip  310 , and includes socket portion  332 , notch  334 , housing groves  335 , housing surface  336 , interior narrowed channel  338  (narrowed relative to at least one of the reservoir  380  and the socket portion  332 ), and effluent channel  339 . Interior channel  338  can be sized and dimension such that it is wider than effluent channel  339 . 
     Rolling applicator  320  is depicted spherical in shape, but it should be appreciated that applicator  160  can be a curved surface, a cylinder, an ovoid, or any other rounded object capable of rolling. Rolling applicator comprises application surface  322  and applicator contact surface  324 . Rolling applicator  320  is rotatably seated at an open end of applicator tip  310  within a socket of housing wall  330  formed by socket portion  332 . 
     Socket portion  332  and rotating applicator  320  are sized and dimensioned such that a portion of the surface of applicator  320 , identified as application surface  322  in  FIGS. 3A-C , extends beyond housing wall  330 . Application surface  322  is the portion of the surface of applicator  320  that makes contact with whatever object the user applies a the applicator to. As the user presses or drags applicator assembly  300  across the applied object, applicator  320  rotates and, a new portion of surface of applicator  320  is in contact with the object and represents application surface  322 . Further, socket portion  332  and rotating applicator  320  are sized and dimensioned such that applicator  320  can rotate within socket  332 , and an open space identified as effluent channel  339  is formed between applicator  320  and socket  332 . Effluent channel  339  is wide enough to permit the passage of cosmetic and fragrance substances through channel  339 , for example, between 10 μm and 1 mm wide, inclusive, between 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm wide, inclusive, between 5 μm and 3 mm wide, inclusive, between 1 μm and 5 mm wide, inclusive, or even greater than 5 mm wide. 
     Controller  340  comprises controller contact surface  342  and controller circuit  344 . Controller contact surface  342  is the portion of the surface of controller  340  that is in contact with applicator contact surface  324 . As applicator  320  rotates, controller  340  rotates and a new portion of the surface of controller  340  is in contact with applicator  320 , representing controller contact surface  342 . As depicted, controller  340  is partially embedded in housing wall  330 , but it should be appreciated that controller  340  could be coupled to the surface of housing wall  330  or could be suspended in interior channel  338  by additional supports. Controller  340  is sized, dimensioned, and positioned such that at least a portion of controller  340 , depicted as controller contact surface  342 , is in, or configured to be in, communication with applicator contact surface  324 . As depicted, surfaces  324  and  342  are in physical contact at point  337 , but it should be appreciated that communication between surfaces  324  and  342  can take place by means of electromagnetic forces or thermal forces as well. 
     Controller  340  is coupled to housing wall  330  such that controller  340  rotates in response to a force applied by applicator contact surface  324  on to controller contact surface  324  at point  337 . All movement of controller  340  can be communicated to controller circuit  344  via, for example, electric impulses, variance of electromagnetic field, or digital electric signals. As a further example, controller  340  can be embedded with a plurality of magnets having variable properties. The rotation of controller  340 , the movement of the plurality of magnets, as well as the change in electromagnetic field properties, can be detected by controller circuit  344 . The variable signals communicated to controller circuit  344  are ultimately used to vary one or more light attributes of LED  360 , preferably at least one of the intensity and the wavelength. While controller  340  is depicted as spherical, it should be appreciated that controller  340  can be a curved surface, a cylinder, an ovoid, or any other rounded object capable of rolling. 
     As illustrated, power source  350  is embedded in housing wall  330  and electrically coupled to power switch  370  and LED  360 . While power source  350  is preferably a non-rechargeable alkaline battery, any other commercially suitable battery technologies (e.g lithium-ion battery, rechargeable batteries) and power sources (e.g. piezoelectric generator, photovoltaic cell, electromagnetic induction) are contemplated. 
     LED  360  is embedded in housing wall  330  as depicted in  FIGS. 3A-C , and is electrically coupled to power source  350  and controller circuit  344 . While LED  360  is a light emitting diode, it should be appreciated that LED  360  can be any appropriate light source, including electroluminescent panels, LEDs, and incandescent bulbs. Further, it should be appreciated that more than one LED or more than one type of light source are included in some embodiments. For example, one light source could be an LED controlled by controller circuit  344 , and a second light source could be an electroluminescent panel controlled only by power switch  370 . 
     Power switch  370  comprises spring  372  and circuit gate  374 , and is electrically coupled to controller circuit  344  and power source  350 . As depicted in  FIGS. 3A-C , power switch  370  can move between a depressed position and an extended position. In the depressed position, depicted by solid lines in  FIGS. 3A-C , a force (preferably protrusion  392  of cap  390 ) pushes power switch  370  toward the center of applicator tip  310 . This force can puts spring  372  under tension and open circuit gate  374 , which could prevent the electrical coupling between power source  350 , controller  340 , and LED  360  from being completed. In the extended position, depicted by dashed lines in  FIGS. 3A-C , no force pushes power switch  370  and the tension of spring  372  presses switch  370  outward from applicator tip  310 . This can close circuit gate  374  and complete the electrical coupling between power source  350 , controller  340 , and LED  360 . 
     Cap  390  comprises protrusion  392  and is sized and dimensioned to fit over applicator tip  310 . Cap  390  is partially made of a material capable of flexing at least at least 5 μm, at least 1 mm, or even more. For example, cap  390  is made of a material capable of flexing such that, when cap  390  is pressed onto applicator tip  310  with a force (e.g., of between 0.5 N and 10 N, inclusive), cap  390  flexes under tension as protrusion  392  presses against housing surface  336 . Once cap  390  is pressed far enough along applicator tip  310  that protrusion  392  meets notch  334 , the closed position, cap  390 &#39;s tension is released as protrusion  392  recedes into notch  334 . The cap can be removed from the closed position by applying a force across cap  390  to remove protrusion  392  from notch  334 , placing cap  390  under tension. 
     When cap  390  is in the closed position, an interior wall of cap  390  presses closely against housing surface  336  such that power switch  370  is in a depressed position, and the electrical coupling between controller  340 , power source  350 , and LED  360  is broken. When the cap is uncoupled from applicator tip  310 , power switch  370  returns to an extended position and the electrical coupling between controller  340 , power source  350 , and LED  360  is complete. It should be appreciated that other coupling mechanisms can be used to couple cap  390  to applicator tip  310 , including for example adhesives, magnets, mated groves, Velcro, latches, and friction. 
     Although the caps and applicator tips described herein releasably couple to one another via protrusions and notches, it should be appreciated that contemplated caps and applicator tips can couple to one another via any commercially suitable mechanism (e.g., male threading on applicator tip, and female threading on inner surface of cap). 
       FIG. 3B  depicts the same applicator assembly  300  as  FIG. 3A , except that LED  360  is embedded in housing wall  330  closer to power source  350  and directed toward rolling applicator  320 .  FIG. 3C  depicts the same applicator assembly  300  as  FIG. 3A , except that LED  360  is embedded in housing wall  330  below controller  340  and directed toward the contents of reservoir  380 . While not generally preferred in all embodiments, it is contemplated that the LED can be partially or completely disposed outside of the housing wall (e.g., not completely embedded), within the housing. 
       FIG. 4  depicts applicator assembly  400  with similar numbering and description as  FIGS. 3A-C . In contrast to  FIGS. 3A-C , applicator assembly  400  comprises controller  440 . As depicted in  FIG. 4 , controller  440  is a flat panel coupled to housing wall  430  such that a portion of controller  440  is in communication with a surface of rolling applicator  420 . It should be apparent that controller  440  could be coupled to the interior surface of housing wall  430 , or embedded partially or completely within housing  430 , such that communication between rolling applicator  420  and controller  440  is indirect or takes place via electromagnetic or thermal force. 
     Controller  440  comprises controller contact surface  442 . Controller  440  is sized and positioned such that surface  442  can be in physical contact with applicator contact surface  424  at point  437 . Controller  440  and rolling applicator  420  can be configured such that a rotation of applicator  420  is detected by controller  440 . The detection can be accomplished by, for example, a sensor that detects a pressure is being applied to the controller via the rolling application (as it is pressed on the user for application). Additionally or alternatively, the detection could be accomplished by, for example, embedding a plurality of magnets with variable properties in rotating applicator  420  and configuring controller  440  to detect changes in magnetic properties or electromagnetic fields. As rotating applicator moves, the corresponding movement of the plurality of magnets, or the change in electromagnetic field properties, can be detected by controller  440  and used to vary an attribute of light from LED  460 , preferably wavelength or intensity. 
     It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C . . . and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.