Abstract:
A coding system for use in conjunction with a series of products is disclosed. The coding system includes indicia indicating to a user of the series of sequentially applied products a time and a sequence of use of the series of products is provided. The coding system includes time indicia disposed on the surface of each product of the series of products. The time indicia indicates to the user of the product a time of day for using the particular product of the series of products. This enables the user to select a group of products having a common time indicia from the series of products. The coding system further includes sequence indicia disposed on the surface of each product of the series of products The sequence indicia indicates to the user an order of using each product of said series of products.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
         [0001]    1. Technical Field  
           [0002]    The present disclosure relates to a sequence of skin care application and, more particularly to a coding system for use on a skin care product system that matches a specific application time with a specific application sequence. In addition, the present disclosure relates to a skin care product application method and, more particularly to a method for applying a particular skin care product of a skin care system at a specific time and in a specific order.  
           [0003]    2. Background of Related Art  
           [0004]    In the past, it has been the conventional practice to supply topical skin care products in bottles containing labels adhered to the surface of the bottle which provide type written instructions as to the products use or in the alternative the skin care product is accompanied by a type written instructional sheet providing the user with instructions as to the products use. As is customary, the label or instruction sheet contains information specifying the time of application of the product, the steps in preparing the skin for application of the product, and the order of application of a particular skin care product when combined with several other skin care products.  
           [0005]    However, problems and difficulties have been encountered when using the type written labels and instructions sheets commonly provided with skin care products. For example, the written text is generally of a small type and difficult to read with the naked eye. This problem is only exacerbated for individuals who are far sighted or with the elderly who more typically require corrective lenses in order to see clearly. Accordingly, such individuals my not readily be able to read or follow the instructions printed on the label or on the instruction sheet. In addition, the often complex instructions indicated on the label or instruction sheets, regarding application times and sequences, may not be readily understood or read by a mentally impaired person.  
           [0006]    Therefore, the need exists for providing a coding system and sequence of skin care application indicia indicative of daily application times and application sequences for the individual skin care products. Such a coding system must be simple and complete so that sight and/or mentally impaired persons can properly apply the proper skin care product in the proper sequence. In addition, the need exists for a skin care application method for applying a particular skin care product, at a specific time and in a specific order.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0007]    In accordance with the present disclosure, a coding system for use in conjunction with a series of products, the coding system having indicia indicating to a user of the series of sequentially applied products a time and a sequence of use of the series of products is provided. The coding system includes time indicia disposed on the surface of each product of the series of products. The time indicia indicates to the user of the product a time of day for using the particular product of the series of products. This enables the user to select a group of products having a common time indicia from the series of products, thus allowing the user to benefit from the use of these common products at the appropriate time. The coding system further includes sequence indicia disposed on the surface of each product of the series of products. The sequence indicia indicates to the user an order of using each product of said series of products. The sequence indicia enables the user to obtain the most benefits from using the group of selected products in a predetermined order.  
           [0008]    Preferably, the time indicia includes at least a portion of a solar character enabling the user of the series of products to select a first group of products from the series of products which are to be used during the day. Preferably, the time indicia also includes at least a portion of a lunar character enabling the user of the series of products to select a second group of products from the series of products which are to be used at night.  
           [0009]    It is preferred that the sequence indicia include a series of ascending numerical characters. The ascending numerical characters instruct the user as to the proper order of using the selected products. Preferably, the products of each of the first and second group of products is used in ascending numerical order. Alternatively, ascending alphabetical characters are also contemplated.  
           [0010]    In a preferred embodiment, the coding system is disposed on a series of labels and the series of labels adhered to the surface of the container retaining a respective product from the series of products.  
           [0011]    In addition, in accordance with the present disclosure a method of determining a proper time and a proper sequence of the use of a series of products is disclosed. According to the presently disclosed method, a time indicia is assigned to each product of the series of products. The time indicia indicates to a user of the series of products a time of day for using a particular product from the series. A sequence indicia is assigned to each product of the series of products. The sequence indicia indicates to the user of the series of products an order of using a particular group of products selected from the series of products. A user the determines the time of day it is and correlates the time indicia of each product from the series with the time of day it is. The user then selects a group of products from the series of products each having a common time indicia relating to the determined time of day. The user then uses the selected group of products in the order of the sequential indicia associated with each product.  
           [0012]    Preferably, the user selects a morning group of products from said series of products. The morning group of products having a solar character associated therewith as the time indicia which indicates to the user that the product is to be used in the morning. The user then uses the morning group of products in ascending numerical order based on numerical indicia associated therewith which numerical indicia indicates to the user the order for applying the particular products of the morning group of products.  
           [0013]    In addition, the method preferably includes the user selecting an evening group of products from said series of products. The evening group of products having a lunar character associated therewith as the time indicia which indicates to the user that the product is to be used in the evening. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and, together with a general description of the disclosure given above, and the detailed description of preferred embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a container for holding a quantity of a skin care product and which includes a coding system having a sequence of application indicia in accordance with the present disclosure;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 2A shows a first label, in accordance with the present coding system having a sequence of application indicia, to be applied to a first skin care product;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 2B shows a second label, in accordance with the present coding system having a sequence of application indicia, to be applied to the first skin care product;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 3A shows a first label, in accordance with the present coding system having a sequence of application indicia, to be applied to a second skin care product;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 3B shows a second label, in accordance with the present coding system having a sequence of application indicia, to be applied to the second skin care product;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 4A shows a label, in accordance with the present coding system having a sequence of application indicia, to be applied to a third skin care product;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 4B shows a label, in accordance with the present coding system having a sequence of application indicia, to be applied to a fourth skin care product;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 5 shows a label, in accordance with the present coding system having a sequence of application indicia, to be applied to a fifth skin care product;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 6A shows a first label, in accordance with the present coding system having a sequence of application indicia, to be applied to a sixth skin care product; and  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 6B shows a second label, in accordance with the present coding system having a sequence of application indicia, to be applied to the sixth skin care product. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0025]    Preferred embodiments of the presently disclosed coding system having a sequence of application indicia will now be described in detail with reference to the drawing figures wherein like reference numerals identify similar or identical elements. While the presently disclosed coding system having a sequence of application indicia will be described in connection with printed labels which are adhered to the surface of a container (i.e., package, box, plastic or glass bottle, jar, tub, insert, removable tags, pamphlets, etc) of the particular skin care product, it is envisioned that the coding system and skin care application indicia can be printed directly onto the surface of package.  
         [0026]    Turning initially to FIG. 1, a container for storing a skin care product incorporating the coding system having a sequence of application indicia in accordance with the present disclosure is generally shown as  10 . Container  10  includes a cylindrical retaining portion  12  configured and adapted for retaining a skin care product (not shown) therein and a cap  14  configured and adapted to close an open end of retaining portion  12  so that the medication is securely stored therein. Cap  14  may be coupled to the open end of retaining portion  12  by any suitable means which may take the form of a snap-lock engagement, a threaded engagement, a flip-top engagement or a socket closure.  
         [0027]    As will be discussed in greater detail below, container  10  includes a label  100 , in accordance with the present disclosure, adhered to the outer surface thereof. Label  100  includes time indicia (denoted by the area “A” in FIG. 1) which instructs the user as to the preferred time of application or use of the skin care product as well as to the order of application or use of the skin care product.  
         [0028]    Turning now to FIGS. 2A and 2B, a first and a second label  102  and  104 , respectively, for applying to a container of a first skin care product (i.e., a cleanser), are illustrated. First label  102  of the cleanser includes indicia  106  in the form of a solar character  108  and a lunar character  110  indicating to the user the preferred times for applying or using the cleanser. Solar character  108  indicates to the user that the cleanser must be applied or used in the morning or during the day. Lunar character  110  indicates to the user that the cleanser must be applied or used in the evening or at night.  
         [0029]    Concomitantly, second label  104  includes indicia  112  in the form of a solar character  114  having the numeral “1” associated therewith and the form of a lunar character  116  having the numeral “1” also associated therewith. Solar character  114  together with numeral “1” associated therewith, indicates to the user that the cleanser is the first skin care product applied or used in the morning. Meanwhile, lunar character  116  together with numeral “1” associated therewith, indicates to the user that the cleanser is the first skin care product applied or used in the evening.  
         [0030]    While the numeral “1” has been disclosed as being associated with indicia  112  of second label  104 , it is envisioned that numeral “1” can also be associated with indicia  106  of label  102 .  
         [0031]    Turning now to FIGS. 3A and 3B, a first and a second label  122  and  124 , respectively, for applying to a container of a second skin care product (i.e., an eye refiner), are illustrated. First label  122  of the eye refiner includes indicia  126  in the form of a solar character  128  and a lunar character  130  indicating to the user the preferred times for applying or using the eye refiner. Solar character  128  indicates to the user that the eye refiner must be applied or used in the morning or during the day. Lunar character  130  indicates to the user that the eye refiner must be applied or used in the evening or at night.  
         [0032]    Second label  124  includes indicia  132  in the form of a solar character  134  having the numeral “2” associated therewith and the form of a lunar character  136  having the numeral “2” also associated therewith. Solar character  134  together with numeral “2” associated therewith, indicates to the user that the eye refiner is the second skin care product applied or used in the morning, after application of the cleanser. Meanwhile, lunar character  136  together with numeral “2” associated therewith, indicates to the user that the eye refiner is the second skin care product applied or used in the evening, after application of the cleanser. While the numeral “2” has been disclosed as being associated with indicia  132  of second label  124 , it is envisioned that numeral “2” can also be associated with indicia  126  of label  122 .  
         [0033]    Turning now to FIGS. 4A and 4B, a label  152  for applying to a container of a third skin care product (i.e., a rejuvenator) and a label  162  for applying to a container of a fourth skin care product (i.e., a vitamin package), are illustrated. Label  152  for the rejuvenator includes first indicia  154  in the form of a solar character  156  indicating to the user the preferred time of day for application or use of the rejuvenator. Solar character  156  indicates to the user that the rejuvenator must be applied or used in the morning or during the day. Concomitantly, label  152  includes second indicia  158  also in the form of solar character  156  having the numeral “3” associated therewith. Solar character  156  together with numeral “3” associated therewith, indicates to the user that the rejuvenator is the third skin care product applied or used in the morning. While the numeral “3” has been disclosed as being associated with second indicia  158  of label  152 , it is envisioned that numeral “3” can also be associated with first indicia  154  of label  152 .  
         [0034]    Meanwhile, label  162  for the vitamin package includes first indicia  164  in the form of a lunar character  166  indicating to the user the preferred time of day for application or use of the vitamin package. Lunar character  166  indicates to the user that the vitamin package must be applied or used in the evening or at night. Concomitantly, label  162  includes second indicia  168  also in the form of lunar character  166  having the numeral “3” also associated therewith. Lunar character  166  together with numeral “3” associated therewith, indicates to the user that the vitamin package is the third skin care product applied or used in the evening. While the numeral “3” has been disclosed as being associated with second indicia  168  of label  162 , it is envisioned that numeral “3” can also be associated with first indicia  164  of label  162 .  
         [0035]    Turning now to FIG. 5, a label  182 , for applying to a container of a fifth skin care product (i.e., a hydrator), is illustrated. Label  182  of the hydrator includes indicia  184  in the form of a solar character  186  and a lunar character  188  indicating to the user the preferred times for applying or using the hydrator. Solar character  186  indicates to the user that the hydrator must be applied or used in the morning or during the day while lunar character  188  indicates to the user that the hydrator must be applied or used in the evening or at night.  
         [0036]    Concomitantly, label  182  includes indicia  190  in the form of a solar character  192  having the numeral “4” associated therewith and the form of a lunar character  194  having the numeral “4” also associated therewith. Solar character  192  together with numeral “4” associated therewith, indicates to the user that the hydrator is the fourth skin care product applied or used in the morning. Meanwhile, lunar character  194  together with numeral “4” associated therewith, indicates to the user that the hydrator is the fourth skin care product applied or used in the evening. While the numeral “4” has been disclosed as being associated with indicia  190  of label  182 , it is envisioned that numeral “4” can also be associated with indicia  184  of label  182 .  
         [0037]    Turning now to FIGS. 6A and 6B, a first and a second label  202  and  204 , respectively, for applying to a container of a sixth skin care product (i.e., a UVA/UVB protector), are illustrated. Both first label  202  and second label  204  of the protector includes indicia  206  in the form of a solar character  208  indicating to the user the preferred time for applying or using the protector. Solar character  208  indicates to the user that the protector must be applied or used in the morning or during the day.  
         [0038]    While a solar character has been disclosed as being indicative of application or use of a particular skin care product in the morning or during the day, it is envisioned that any symbol can be used to indicate morning or day, such as for example, the term “AM.” Additionally, while a lunar character has been disclosed as being indicative of application or use of a particular skin care product at night or in the evening, it is envisioned that any symbol can be used to indicate evening or night, such as, for example, the term “PM.” Moreover, while arabic numerals “1-4” have been disclosed as being indicative of the order of application of the skin care product, it is envisioned that any indicia can be used to denote the order of application, such as, for example, roman numerals, a number of dots, braille numerals, etc.  
         [0039]    Assuming that a user has all of the skin care products disclosed herein, namely, a cleanser having labels  104  and  104  adhered thereto, an eye refiner having labels  122  and  124  adhered thereto, a rejuvenator having label  152  adhered thereto, a vitamin package having label  162  adhered thereto, a hydrator having label  182  adhered thereto and a protector having labels  202  and  204  adhered thereto, a preferred method of use of the coding system in accordance with the present disclosure will now be described with reference to FIGS.  2 A- 6 B. While the method of using the coding system and skin care application indicia in accordance with the present disclosure will be described with reference to the above described products, it is envisioned that the coding system and skin care application indicia can be used in conjunction with other products as well.  
         [0040]    According to the preferred method of using the present coding system, a user of the skin care product first determines if is morning/day or evening/night. If the user determines that it is the morning or day time, the user selects all of the skin care products having a solar character associated therewith, namely, cleanser including labels  102  and  104  having solar characters  108  and  114 , respectively, eye refiner including labels  122  and  124  having solar characters  128  and  134 , respectively, rejuvenator including label  152  having solar character  156 , hydrator including label  182  having solar characters  186  and  192 , and protector including labels  202  and  204  having solar character  208 .  
         [0041]    With all of the skin care products having a solar character associated therewith selected, the user arranges the selected skin care products in ascending numerical order based on the numerals “1-4” associated with each individual skin care product. The user then applies the skin care products, in the morning or during the day, sequentially, in ascending numerical order. In the present instance, the user first applies the cleanser having numeral “1” associated therewith, second, the user applies the eye refiner having numeral “2” associated therewith, third, the user applies the rejuvenator having numeral “3” associated therewith, and fourth, the user applies the hydrator having numeral “4” associated therewith. Optionally, the user can apply the protector, not having any numeral associated therewith, at any time during the day.  
         [0042]    If the user determines that it is the evening or night time, the user selects all of the skin care products having a lunar character associated therewith, namely, cleanser including labels  102  and  104  having lunar characters  110  and  116 , respectively, eye refiner including labels  122  and  124  having lunar characters  130  and  136 , respectively, vitamin product including label  152  having lunar character  166 , and hydrator including label  182  having lunar characters  188  and  194 .  
         [0043]    With all of the skin care products having a lunar character associated therewith selected, the user arranges the selected skin care products in ascending numerical order based on the numerals “1-4” associated with each individual skin care product. The user then applies the following skin care products in the evening or at night, sequentially, in ascending numerical order. In the present instance, the user first applies the cleanser having numeral “1” associated therewith, second, the user applies the eye refiner having numeral “2” associated therewith, third, the user applies the vitamin package having numeral “3” associated therewith, and fourth, the user applies the hydrator having numeral “4” associated therewith.  
         [0044]    While the above described coding system and skin care application indicia and method have been described in connection with skin care products, it is envisioned that the above described coding system and method can be used in connection with various other products such as for example cosmetic products, hair care products, medications and the like. It will be understood that various modifications may be made to the embodiments of the presently disclosed coding system and steps of the method. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of preferred embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.