Abstract:
A method for using a lip coloring apparatus includes inserting a lip coloring applicator into a reservoir of lip color and twisting a cap attached to the lip coloring applicator relative to a body containing the reservoir. The method further includes mating a tab of the cap with a cut-out in the body to secure the cap and body to one another.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/400,932 filed Aug. 5, 2010. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates generally to cosmetics, and more specifically to a lip color and applicator case. 
     It is known to store liquid cosmetics (e.g. lip gloss, lip stick, mascara, eye liner, nail varnish, and concealer) in portable containers. Often, the portable container will also include space for transportation of an applicator. Sometimes the applicator is attached to a cap, which has a threaded relationship with the portable container. When the cap is secured to the container, the applicator is stored inside of the container along with the liquid cosmetic. Removal of the cap from the container allows a user to apply the liquid cosmetic by using the exposed applicator. 
     SUMMARY 
     A cosmetic apparatus includes a body, a reservoir, a head, and a wand. The body includes a front, a back, a first side, a second side, an enclosed bottom, and an open top forming a container having rounded edges. The first side of the body includes a first cut-out and the second side of the body includes a second cut-out. The reservoir is located within the body adjacent the enclosed bottom and is adapted for containing a liquid cosmetic. The head includes a front, a back, a first side, a second side, an enclosed top, and an open bottom forming a cap having rounded edges. The first side of the head includes a first tab having a mating relationship with the first cut-out and the second side of the head includes a second tab having a mating relationship with the second cut-out. The wand includes a first end attached to an inside of the head and a second end having an applicator for applying the liquid cosmetic. The second end of the wand is secured in the reservoir by the mating relationship between the head and the body. 
     A lip coloring apparatus includes a container, a reservoir, a center bezel, a cap, and a wand. The container includes a front, a back, a first side, a second side, enclosed bottom, an open top, and curved edges. The first side of the container includes a first cut-out and the second side of the container includes a second cut-out. The reservoir is located within the container adjacent the enclosed bottom and is adapted for containing lip color. The center bezel is received into the container adjacent the open top. The center bezel has a first detent exposed by the first cut-out and a second detent exposed by the second cut-out. The cap includes a front, a back, a first side, a second side, an enclosed top, an open bottom, and curved edges. The first side of the cap includes a first tab having a first protrusion and the second side of the cap includes a second tab having a second protrusion. The wand includes a first end attached to the cap and a second end having an applicator for applying lip color. Insertion of the second end of the wand through the center bezel and into the reservoir draws the first end and attached cap toward the body. Twisting of the cap in relation to the body causes the first protrusion of the first tab to mate with the first detent and first cut-out, and the second protrusion of the second tab to mate with the second detent and the second cut-out. 
     A method for using a lip coloring apparatus includes inserting a lip coloring applicator into a reservoir of lip color and twisting a cap attached to the lip coloring applicator relative to a body containing the reservoir. The method further includes mating a tab of the cap with a cut-out in the body to secure the cap and body to one another. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a lip coloring apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of a center bezel and a seal from the lip coloring apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is an assembled perspective view of the lip coloring apparatus from  FIG. 1  in an unlocked position. 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of the lip coloring apparatus from  FIG. 3  in a locked position. 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of the lip coloring apparatus from  FIG. 4  in a locked position. 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of the lip coloring apparatus from  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a lip coloring apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of lip coloring apparatus (“LCA”)  10  in accordance with the present disclosure. LCA  10  includes body  12 , reservoir  14 , head  16 , wand  18 , center bezel  20 , and seal  22 . Body  12  further includes front  24 , back  26 , first side  28 , second side  30 , bottom  32 , and top  34 . First side  28  of body  12  has first cut-out  36 , and second side  30  of body  12  has second cut-out  38 . Similar to body  12 , head  16  includes front  40 , back  42  (not visible), first side  44 , second side  46 , top  48 , and bottom  50 . First side  44  of head  16  has first tab  52 , and second side  46  of head  16  has second tab  54 . Wand  18  includes first end  56  and second end  58  having applicator  60 . When assembled, second end  58  of wand  18  is secured inside of reservoir  14  by a mating relationship between body  12  and head  14 . 
     LCA  10  includes body  12  having internal reservoir  14  at a lower end and head  16  at an upper end, which is detached and exploded away from body  12  in  FIG. 1 . When fully assembled and locked, body  12  and head  16  form a substantially cuboid shape having curved edges (see  FIG. 3 ). Extending downwardly from head  16  and toward body  12  is wand  18 . Located beneath wand  18  is seal  20 , and located beneath seal  20 , but above body  12 , is center bezel  22 . When assembled, wand  18 , seal  20 , and center bezel  22  are all received into body  12  (see  FIG. 2 ). 
     Body  12  includes front  24 , back  26 , first side  28 , second side  30 , closed bottom  32  and open top  34 , which are all connected by curved edges to from a container for holding internal reservoir  14  (as well as wand  18 , seal  20 , and center bezel  22  when assembled). As indicated by their names, front  24  is opposite back  26 , first side  28  is opposite second side  30 , and bottom  32  is opposite top  34 . Each portion of body  12  is connected to its adjacent portion by rounded or curved edges, such that body  12  has no sharp corners. Reservoir  14  is located inside of body  12  adjacent bottom  32  and includes a liquid cosmetic such as lip gloss. Reservoir  14  may be plastic and/or replaceable. First side  28  includes first cut-out  36 , which extends along a depth of body  12  and is continuous with open top  34 . Similarly, second side  30  includes second cut-out  38 , which extends along the depth of body  12  and is continuous with open top  34 . First cut-out  36  and second cut-out  38  extend downwardly from top  34  into first side  28  and second side  30 , respectively. Both first-cut out  36  and second cut-out  38  are approximately square, but have rounded corners and are configured to mate with head  16  (see  FIG. 3 ). 
     Similar to body  12 , head  16  includes front  40 , back  42  (not visible), first side  44 , second side  46 , closed top  48 , and open bottom  50 , which are all connected by curved edges to from a cap for attaching to body  12 . As indicated by their names, front  40  is opposite back  42 , first side  44  is opposite second side  46 , and top  48  is opposite bottom  50  Like body  12 , each portion of head  16  is connected to its adjacent portion by rounded or curved edges, such that head  16  has no sharp corners. First side  44  includes first tab  52 , which extends along a depth of head  16  and is continuous with open bottom  50 . Similarly, second side  46  includes second tab  54  which extends along the depth of head  16  and is continuous with open bottom  50 . First tab  52  and second tab  54  extend downwardly from first side  44  and second side  46 , respectively, past a lowermost portion of bottom  50 . Both first tab  52  and second tab  54  are approximately square, but have rounded corners. First tab  52  and second tab  54  are configured to mate with first-cut out  36  and second cut-out  38 , respectively, in order to couple body  12  with head  16  (see  FIG. 3 ). 
     Wand  18  is attached to, and extends downwardly from, an inside of cap  18 . Wand  18  is cylindrical and includes first end  56 , and elongated center, and second end  58 . First end  56  of wand  18  extends upwardly past bottom  50  and into the interior of cap  18 . Second end  58  of wand  18  extends downwardly toward seal  20 , center bezel  22 , and body  12 . Attached to the most downward portion of second end  58  is applicator  60 . Applicator  60  can be a brush, absorbent material, or any other item capable of applying a liquid cosmetic. When assembled and locked, second portion  58  of wand  18 , including applicator  60 , is inserted through seal  20  and center bezel  22  to reside within reservoir  14  and is moistened with liquid cosmetic. The structure of seal  20  and center bezel  22  are discussed in further detail below with respect to  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of seal  20  and center bezel  22  from  FIG. 1 . Seal  20  includes cylindrical post  62 , lip  64 , hole  65 , and ring  66 . Center bezel  22  includes bottom  68 , top  70 , shoulder  72 , ring  74 , hole  76 , detents  78 , and indentations  80 . When assembled, seal  20  is received into center bezel  22 , which is received into body  12  (see  FIG. 3 ). Seal  20  prevents liquid cosmetic from leaking out of reservoir  14 , and center bezel  22  aids in securing head  16  to body  12 . 
     Seal  20  and center bezel  22  form a central portion of LCA  10  and are located between wand  18  and reservoir  14 . Seal  20  has lower and middle portions defined by cylindrical post  62 , and an upper portion defined by lip  64 . Cylindrical post  62  is hollow and contains central hole  65 . Lip  64  is circular, has a slightly larger diameter than cylindrical post  62 , and surrounds a top of central hole  65  and cylindrical post  62 . Central hole  65  extends continuously through cylindrical post  62  and lip  64 , and has a diameter larger than a diameter of wand  18 , such that wand  18  can extend through a center of seal  20 . Extending around an outer surface of cylindrical post  62  near the point of attachment between lip  64  and cylindrical post  62 , is ring  66 . Ring  66  encircles post  62  and is slightly raised therefrom to provide an outer surface on seal  20  that can catch or mate with an inner surface of center bezel  22 . 
     Center bezel  22  is generally ovular or elliptical in shape. Lower end  68  is separated from opposite upper end  70  by a central shoulder  72 . Lower end  68  and upper end  70  have similar circumferences while shoulder  72  forms a raised band extending outwardly from an outer surface of bezel  20 . Extending around the circumference of lower end  68 , and parallel to shoulder  72 , is ring  74 . Similar to ring  66  of seal  20  discussed above, ring  74  forms a raised outer surface on lower portion  68  of center bezel  22  for catching or mating with an inner surface of body  12 . Extending through a center of center bezel is hole  76 . Hole  76  is slightly larger in diameter than seal  20  and is configured to receive and catch ring  66  of seal  20 . Upper end  70  of center bezel  20  further includes two opposite detents  78  (only one is visible). Detents  78  are rectangular-shaped depressions on either side of upper portion  70  and are configured to form a snap-fit lock with head  16  (see  FIG. 3 ). Located on a front and a back of center bezel  20  are elongated indentations  80 . Like detents  78 , indentations  80  are depressions, but indentations  80  are configured to catch or mate with an inner surface of body  12 . Center bezel  22  is received and secured into body  12 , and seal  20  is received and secured into center bezel  22 , such that wand  18  extends through both seal  20  and center bezel  22  before reaching reservoir  14  (see  FIG. 3 ). 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of LCA  10  from  FIG. 1  in an assembled and unlocked position. Depicted in  FIG. 3  are body  12  and head  16 . Components located inside of body  12  and shown in phantom: reservoir  14 , wand  18 , seal  20 , center bezel  22 , and applicator  60 . First cut-out  36  exposes upper portion  70  and detent  78  of center portion  22 , and mating portions of head  16  are identified: first side  44  having first tab  52  with protrusion  82 .  FIG. 3  shows how cap and body  12  appear when in the unlocked position when applicator  60  of wand  18  is ready for removal from body  12  and use. 
     As described in detail above with respect to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , seal  20  is received and secured into center bezel  22 , and center bezel  22  is received and secured into body  12 . Seal  20  and center bezel  22  reside within body  12  above reservoir  14 . Applicator  60  of wand  18  is inserted through center hole ( 65  in  FIG. 2 ) of seal  20  and down into reservoir  14  in order to absorb or collect a liquid cosmetic. First cut-out  36  of body  12  exposes top portion  70  of center bezel  22  having detent  78 . Detent  78  is centrally located within first-cut out. First tab  52  on first side  44  of head  16  is configured to mate and align with first cut-out  36  in order to secure head  16  to body  12 . Protrusion  82  is located on an inside surface of first tab  52  and extends inwardly therefrom toward wand  18 . Protrusion  82  is configured to snap into and mate with detent  78  in order to secure head  16  to body  12 . More specifically, head  16  is twisted or swiveled such that protrusion  82  can slide into, and be received by, detent  78 . Concurrent with the mating between protrusion  82  and detent  78 , first tab  52  comes to rest within cut-out  36 . First tab  52  and protrusion  82 , therefore, form a cantilever snap-fit relationship with first cut-out  36 , upper portion  70 , and detent  78 . It should be appreciated that the same mating relationships occur on the opposite, second side  46  of LCA  10 , but are not visible. Second tab  54  and protrusion  82  form a cantilever snap-fit relationship with second cut-out  38 , which exposes opposite upper portion  70  of center bezel  70  having detent  78 . In the depicted embodiment, head  16  is mirrored about a central axis so it can attach to body  12  in either direction (i.e. first tab  52  can mate with second cut-out  38  and second tab  54  can mate with first cut-out  36 ). In an alternative embodiment, head  16  is directional and will only attach body  12  in one direction (i.e. first tab  52  mates only with first cut-out  36  and second tab  54  mates only with second cut-out  38 ). The locked configuration of LCA  10  is depicted and described below with respect to  FIGS. 4-6 . 
       FIG. 4  is a front view,  FIG. 5  is a side view, and  FIG. 6  is a top view of LCA  10  from  FIG. 3  in a locked position. Shown in  FIGS. 4-6  are components of LCA  10 : body  12  (having front  24 , back  26 , first side  28 , second side  30 , bottom  32 , top  34 , and first cut-out  36 ) and head  16  (having front  40 , back  42 , first side  44 , second side  46 , top  48 , bottom  50 , and first tab  52 ). Also depicted are dimensions height h, depth d, and width w of LCA  10 . When assembled and locked, LCA  10  resembles rectangular cuboid having fillet edges. 
     In  FIGS. 4-6 , body  12  and head  16  of LCA  10  are joined and locked by the cantilever snap-fit arrangement described above with respect to  FIG. 3 . Open bottom  50  of cap  16  is adjacent and in contact with open top  34  of body  12 . First tab  52  rests within first cut-out  36 . Note the space between edges of first tab  52  and first cut-out  36 , which allow for rotation of head  16  with respect to body  12 , such that head  16  can be unlocked and removed from body  12  (see  FIG. 3 ). Both closed top  48  of cap  46  and closed bottom  32  of body  12  are convex domes. LCA  10  may be formed from bamboo, hemp, plastic, or metal, among other materials. 
     In the depicted embodiment, LCA  10  has an overall height h between approximately 2 and 4 inches (5.08 cm and 10.16 cm) or more specifically, about 3.128 inches (7.95 cm). Cap  16  is between about one half and one quarter of the overall height of LCA, with body  12  comprising the remaining one half to three quarters height. As shown in  FIG. 3 , wand  18  has a height, a depth, and a width less than a height, a depth, and a width of body  12 , respectively. Both cap  16  and body  12  have depths between approximately 0.2 inches and 0.8 inches (5.08 mm and 2.03 cm) or more specifically, about 0.45 inches (1.14 cm). Both cap  16  and body  12  have widths w between approximately 0.5 inches and 1.0 inches (1.27 cm and 2.54 cm) or more specifically, about 0.85 inches (2.16 cm). Accordingly, cap  16  and body  12  have the same depths d and widths w, but differing heights. In comparison to traditional lip coloring cases, LCA  10  is very streamlined and thin so that it is less visible, or even undetectable, when stored in a clothing pocket or small bag of a user. The curved edges on a six-sided shape of LCA  10  coupled with the fact that LCA  10  is relatively flat (i.e. has little depth d) function to define a discrete portable case for liquid cosmetics and an applicator. 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of lip coloring apparatus LCA  10 ′ in accordance with the present disclosure. Depicted in  FIG. 7  are components of LCA  10 ′: body  12 ′(including front  24 ′, back  26 ′, first side  28 ′, second side  30 ′, bottom  32 ′, top  34 ′, first cut-out  36 ′, and second cut-out  38 ′) and head  16 ′ (including front  40 ′, back  42 ′, first side  44 ′, second side  46 ′, top  48 ′, bottom  50 ′, first tab  52 ′ and second tab  54 ′). LCA  10 ′ is similar to LCA  10  described above with reference to  FIGS. 1-6  and like numeral designate like components. The components of LCA  10 ′ cooperate and function as described above for LCA  10 . The locking mechanisms of LCA  10  and LCA  10 ′ are similar and function to contain a liquid cosmetic inside of reservoir regardless of the orientation of LCA  10  and LCA  10 ′. The primary difference between LCA  10  and LCA  10 ′ being that LCA  10 ′ is ovoid when assembled and locked. LCA  10 ′ is an alternative embodiment that achieves the same benefits as those described above for LCA  10 . 
     While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment(s), it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.