Abstract:
Apparatus and methods for application of body powder are disclosed. The apparatus and methods disclosed may have a body powder stored within a porous fabric material. As the fabric material is rubbed against the skin surface the powder is released onto the skin.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to powder application, and more particularly to a device and method for applying powder to the body. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Body powders are applied to the skin&#39;s surface. The body powder may be used to dry the skin and/or interact with the skin cells. The body powder may act as an astringent, an antiperspirant, fungicide or other medicinal purpose. The body powder may also incorporate a fragrance to provide a perfume or cologne. 
         [0003]    Typically, Body powder is applied by squeezing a bottle or shaking a bottle containing the powder upside down. The powder grains pass through a perforated top of the bottle directly onto the skin or are collected in the palm of the hand. The user then rubs the powder on the skin. Excess powder may be released into the air or fall to the ground. In addition, one may need to continuously apply powder. 
         [0004]    Accordingly, a device, method, and system is needed to easily and efficiently apply body powder. In addition, the device, method and system may need to be easily storable and transportable. Further, the device, method, and system may need to dry and brush the skin of foreign particles while applying the body powder. Still further, the device, method and system may need to be cleanable and refillable. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    The above and other objectives and advantages of the present invention will be apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which: 
           [0006]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of the powder applicator  100  according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0007]      FIG. 1B  is a profile view of the powder passing through the powder applicator walls  104  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the powder applicator  100  with container  200  according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a flow chart of the powder application according to a first exemplary method embodiment  300  of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a flow chart of cleaning and refilling of powder applicator  100  according to a second exemplary method embodiment  400  of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    Referring to  FIG. 1A , the powder applicator  100  is made of walls  104  that allows a body powder  102  stored in the powder applicator  100  to pass through to an outer surface of the powder applicator  100 . The body powder  102  may be a variety of powders applied to the skin, for example but not limited to, talcum powder, cornstarch, fragrance powders, medicated powders, a combination of the forgoing powders, and/or any other suitable powder(s). The user rubs the outer surface of the walls  104  of the powder applicator  100  against the skin. The outer surface may brush the skin of foreign particles, for example but not limited to, sand, dirt, and dead skin. The walls  104  also allow body powder  102  to pass through and be applied to the skin. The powder applicator  100  may be used, for example, at the beach to remove sand from the skin. 
         [0012]    According to the first exemplary embodiment, the powder applicator  102  may be made of a cotton fabric stitched together in a pocket shape. An aperture  108  may be provided for the powder applicator  100  to allow empting and/or refilling of the powder applicator  100 . The aperture  108  may include a hook and loop fasteners seam  110  to allow the aperture  108  to remain closed during use but allow for quick access for refilling the powder applicator  100 . The powder applicator  100  may use other suitable fasteners to provide closing of the aperture  108 , for example but not limited to, snaps, zippers, drawstrings, or press and lock fasteners. The powder applicator  100  may also be designed without an aperture  108  to provide a limited use applicator. According to this embodiment, the powder applicator  100  would be filled during manufacturing and disposed by the user once the powder applicator  100  is emptied. 
         [0013]    Referring to  FIG. 1B , the powder applicator  100  is made of fabric walls  104  that allows a body powder  102  stored in the powder applicator  100  to pass through to an outer surface of the powder applicator  100 . The fabric may be selected based on the desired amount of body powder  102  released and the grain size of the body powder  102 . For example, increasing the porosity of the fabric will increase the amount of body powder  102  released. The fabric may be of a variety of materials, for example, the fabric may be a 100 percent blend of cotton fiber. The fabric material may be made of a material the wicks water from the skin. In another embodiment the fabric may be of a synthetic fiber, for example, spandex or elastane. The fabric material may be made of a material that does not readily absorb water and provides a relative dry surface. In another embodiment, the fabric may be a material that has unidirectional characteristics that allow the powder and moisture to pass to the outside of the powder applicator  100  but prevents moisture from flowing in the opposite direction into the powder applicator  100 . One skilled the art will appreciate that other suitable material with similar properties as fabric walls  104  may be used in embodiments of the present invention. The powder applicator  100  may also be made with a combination of fabric and rigid portion and is not limited to a pocket shape. For example, a rigid handle or container may be incorporated into the design. In another example, the powder applicator  100  may have the shape of a seahorse, starfish, surfboard, life vest or other aesthetic shape. 
         [0014]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the powder applicator  100  may include a container  200 . The container  200  may be used to provide for storage and transportability of the powder applicator  100  when not in use. The container  200  may be made of a material that prevents the passage of body powder  102 . A container aperture  204  may be provided for placing the powder applicator  102  within the container  200 . The container aperture  204  may include a drawstring fasteners seam  206  to allow the container aperture  204  to remain closed during storage and/or transporting. The container  204  may use other fasteners to provide closing of the container aperture  204 , for example but not limited to snaps, hook and loop, zipper, press and lock fasteners, or any other suitable fastener(s). Excess powder  202  remains inside the container  200  and may be disposed of or inserted back into the powder applicator  100 . The container  200  may be made of a fabric that prevents the passage of powder or a rigid or semi rigid material, for example, plastic or leather. The container  200  may be made of a combination of fabric with a plastic lining. 
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is a flow chart of the powder application according to a first exemplary method embodiment  300  of the present invention. The user removes powder applicator  100  from container  200  (block  302 ). The user rubs the outer surface of powder applicator  100  against the skin (block  304 ). The outer surface of powder applicator  100  brushes off foreign particles, for example sand (block  306 ). Body powder  102  passes through powder applicator&#39;s walls  104  and is applied to the skin (block  308 ). The amount of powder dispensed may be dependent on fabric and powder characteristics. Moisture on the skin is pushed or wicked away (block  310 ). Moisture on the skin may be accomplished by some of the body powder  102  absorbing moisture and falling off the skin from repeated brushes. The powder applicator  100  is reinserted into container  200  for later use and/or transport (block  312 ). 
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is a flow chart of cleaning and refilling of the powder applicator according to a second exemplary method embodiment of the present invention. The aperture  108  to the powder applicator  100  is opened (block  402 ). Excess body powder  102  from the powder applicator  100  is removed through the aperture  108  (block  404 ). The powder applicator  100  is washed (block  406 ). This action may include, for example, washing the powder applicator  100  in a washing machine, sink, for by shaking or dry cleaning. The powder applicator  100  is allowed to dry (block  408 ). The powder applicator  100  is refilled with fresh body powder  102  (block  410 ). The powder applicator  100  is now recharged and ready for future use. 
         [0017]    It will be understood that the foregoing is only illustrative of the principles of the invention and that various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, such embodiments will be recognized as within the scope of the present invention. Various aspects disclosed in the exemplary embodiments may be incorporated with aspects disclosed in other exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that the present invention can be practiced by other than the described embodiments, which are presented for purposes of illustration rather than of limitation and that the present invention is limited only by the claims that follow.