Abstract:
An apparatus and method for custom blending and fabricating lipstick to the specific demands of individual customers. The present invention provides a kit which enables a user to blend various pigments to arrive at a very specific shade, and then blend the desired shade with a specific base to result in a desired consistency of lipstick, and which also allows the blended bases and pigments to be heated to a liquefied form and poured into a mold for hardening. Upon cooling and hardening, a conventional lipstick case can be attached to the lipstick for removal from the mold and use by the customer. The present invention therefore not only allows a user to quickly attain the specific shade and consistency of lipstick desired, but also eliminates the time consuming and unsatisfactory process of visiting multiple stores having expansive inventories of variously shaded and textured lipsticks.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
   This patent application is a divisional of continuation-in-part U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/363,129, filed Jul. 28, 1999 now U.S Pat. No. 6,402,120, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/924,196, filed Sep. 5, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,351. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention generally relates to cosmetics, and more particularly relates to apparatus and methods for creating lipsticks. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   When a person is desirous of purchasing cosmetics, he or she is often confronted with a time consuming and very often unsatisfactory process. Retail outlets often carry only a limited number of manufacturers and their product lines, and if a customer cannot find the particular shade or consistency of lipstick desired, he or she will be required to visit additional retail outlets in search of another manufacturer and its product line which may or may not provide the particular shade or consistency of lipstick desired. Even after finding an acceptable lipstick, it is often shortlived in that the manufacturer may discontinue production of the desired type. 
   Alternatively, the customer can resort to catalogs or other written material which will provide the customer with an expansive list of information and possibly the particular shade and consistency of lipstick desired. However, the shade as it appears in printed form on the advertisement may be quite different from the shade when worn and viewed in ambient lighting conditions as opposed to the printed conditions of the catalog. 
   Such a system is not only frustrating and unsatisfactory to the client, but can also be unsatisfactory to the retailer and manufacturer. The retailer is required to maintain an expansive line of lipstick in inventory which may or may not turn over in profitable fashion, which necessarily limits the retailer to carrying only the best selling lines, or most cost-effective lines. The retailer will therefore not be able to fully satisfy all the needs of his or her client base. From the manufacturer standpoint, such a system is unsatisfactory in the sense that its product lines will be only carried in a few retail outlets which necessarily limits the total client base to which the manufacturer can extend its goods. 
   Certain areas of the cosmetics industry have therefore recognized this deficiency in the current system and devised alternatives to more closely tailor cosmetic products to the specific desires of the given customer. For example, U.S. Pat. 5,031,764, issued to Meador, et al, discloses an apparatus for designing personalized perfume by providing a system of tapered strips along with a family of fragrances. An individual is therefore able to use the apparatus of Meador &#39;764 to design customized perfume or cologne in relatively quick fashion. 
   However, while systems such as the Meador &#39;764 patent do provide a system by which personalized perfumes and colognes can be created, no system currently exists to create personalized or specially tailored cosmetics corresponding to the exact demands of each customer, and more specifically to the focus of the present invention, no system or method currently exists to allow specific shades, consistencies and textures of lipsticks to be created based on the specific demands of each customer. It therefore follows that no system currently exists to allow for customized lipstick creation in a relatively short time frame, without relying on a system of ordering and waiting for delivery from an off-site warehouse. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is therefore a primary aim of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for custom blending lipstick to a desired shade, consistency and content, and fabricating the blended lipstick while the customer waits. 
   It is an objective of the present invention to provide a kit for use by cosmetic retailers which can be used to custom blend a particular shade and consistency of lipstick to the exact and immediate demands of the customers, and with which a conventional retractable lipstick case can be fabricated with the custom blended lipstick therein while the customer waits. 
   It is another objective of the present invention to provide a kit for personal use which can be used to custom blend lipstick at home or various other locations away from retail establishments. 
   It is another objective of the present invention to provide a kit which not only allows the specific color of the lipstick to be blended, but which also allows various additives, such as moisturizers, sunscreens, fragrances, and frostings, to be added to the resulting lipstick. 
   It is another objective of the present invention to provide a kit for creating custom blended lipstick which provides a means by which the exact portions of the various colored pigments, bases, and additives can be measured and recorded to allow for additional batches of lipstick to be created after a specific combination and recipe has been established. 
   It is still another objective of the present invention to provide a kit which allows the custom blended lipstick to be blended and manufactured in a matter of minutes. 
   It is still another objective of the present invention to provide a kit and method which allows for custom blending and fabrication of lipstick in a consistent and repeatable manner. 
   In accordance with these aims and objectives, the present invention is directed towards a kit for custom blending lip coloring products such as lipstick, lip gloss and the like to desired shade, texture, and content, either at home or in a retail store. The kit includes multiple containers of different pigments, at least one container of a suitable base, a means for measuring the pigments and/or bases, and a mold for receiving blended, heated and liquefied combination of pigments and bases. The kit is typically packaged together in a sellable package which can be used in either a retail store or a home. The size and variety of the containers of pigments and bases can be adapted to meet the particular consumer needs. 
   It is a feature of the present invention to provide a kit for custom blending lipstick to a desired shade, texture, and content, and fabricating the blended lipstick into a conventional lipstick case, wherein the kit includes a plurality of pigments, a plurality of bases, a means for measuring pre-determined quantities of the pigments and bases, a blending sheet on which the measured quantities of pigments and bases can be mixed, a means for heating the desired blend into a liquefied form, a mold for receiving the liquefied blend and hardening the blend into a solid form, and a plurality of extendible and retractable lipstick cases adapted to receive the hardened lipstick. 
   It is another feature of the present invention to provide such a kit wherein the means for measuring is a planar sheet which includes a plurality differently sized segments onto which the pigments can be poured for exact measurement. 
   It is another feature of the present invention to provide such a kit wherein the blending sheet is a translucent sheet adapted to be positioned over the measurement sheet having the graduated segments. The graduated segments are visible through the translucent blending sheet to allow for simultaneous measuring and mixing of the pigments. 
   It is yet another feature of the present invention to provide such a kit wherein the mold includes a clam shell type housing adapted to be folded into mating orientation to form a plurality of cavities having the shape of a desired lipstick. The clam shell can be unfolded upon hardening of the lipstick for removal thereof, and is preferably manufactured from a metal to serve as an effective heat sink. In alternative embodiments, the mold can be made of other materials including plastic. 
   It is still another feature of the present invention to provide such a mold wherein each lipstick cavity is treated with a non-stick coating to facilitate removal of the hardened lipstick therefrom. 
   It is still another feature of the present invention to provide a method for custom blending and fabricating of lipstick to the personal specifications of each customer wherein the method comprises the steps of selecting, measuring, and mixing measured quantities of pigments to arrive at a desired shade, adding the desired shade of pigment blend to a particular base having the consistency of the desired lipstick, heating the desired pigments and bases to a liquefied form, pouring the liquefied pigment and bases into a mold having the shape of the desired lipstick, and affixing a lipstick case to the hardened lipstick upon removal from the mold. 
   These and other aims, objectives, and features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a plan view of the measuring sheet and the blending sheet used in conjunction with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the mold used in conjunction with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a sectional view of the mold shown in  FIG. 3  taken along line  4 — 4 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a sectional view of the mold taken along line  5 — 5  of  FIG. 3 ; and 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the mold after the lipstick blend has been poured and hardened, and after the top layer of the mold has been removed to facilitate attachment of lipstick holding cases to the lipstick. 
   

   While the present invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrative embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring now to the drawings, and with specific reference to a  FIG. 1 , the preferred embodiment is shown and is generally designated as kit  20 . As shown therein, kit  20  includes graduated measuring sheet  22 , pigments  24 , bases  26 , additives  28 , frostings  29 , blending sheets  30 , mixing tool  32 , heating vessel  34 , mold  36  and lipstick cases  38 . It is to be understood that the actual number of pigments  24 , bases  26 , additives  28 , frostings  29 , blending sheets  30 , and lipstick cases  38  provided with each kit  20  can certainly vary, but that the stated elements are all included in the preferred embodiment of the present invention. It is also to be understood that in alternative embodiments, additional additives can be included with kit  20  to further enhance the variability of the lipstick. As indicated in the drawings, the kit  20  is typically packaged together in a sellable package which may be used in either a retail store or a home. The size and variety of the containers of pigments and bases can be adapted to meet the particular consumer needs. 
   With specific reference now to measuring sheet  22 ,  FIG. 2  shows that measuring sheet  22  is a planar sheet which in the preferred embodiment is preferably manufactured from acrylic, but which could alternatively be made of a relatively heavy grade of paper or possibly a light grade of cardboard. In alternative embodiments, different means for measuring can be provided which need not take the specific form of that shown in  FIG. 2 . However, as shown in  FIG. 2 , measuring sheet  22  also includes a plurality of graduated segments  40  into which pigments  24  can be poured. In the preferred embodiment, one graduated segment  40  having a nominal denotation of 1.5 is provided in a central position with sets of graduated segments ranging from nominal denotations of 0.125 to 1.0 shown radiating out from central segment  42 . In alternative embodiments, segments  40  need not be provided in the specific dimensions shown in  FIG. 2 , but rather can be provided in any size providing a means by which the components can be consistently measured into pre-determined quantities of pigments  24 . Other appropriate measuring means may include scoops, spoons, scales, droppers, measuring cups, metering devices, and other similar measuring devices. 
   In order to reduce the overall cost of kit  20 , only one measuring sheet  22  is provided with each kit, but through the novel use of translucent blending sheets  30 , measuring sheet  22  can be used in repetition. In other words, blending sheet  30  can be placed over a measuring sheet  22  such that graduated segments  40  are visible through translucent blending sheet  30 . While blending sheet  30  is depicted in the drawings as being smaller than measuring sheet  22 , such depiction is only for the purposes of clearer illustration, in that blending sheet  30  is actually the same size as measuring sheet  22  in the preferred embodiment. The retailer can pour pigments  24  directly onto translucent blending sheet  30  using the graduated segments  40  of measuring sheet  22  as a guide. The measured quantity of pigment  24  can then be moved to a separate and distinct area of blending sheet  30  for subsequent combination with additional pigments  24 . For example, one pigment  24  having a particular red hue can be measured using one of the graduated segments  40  and if it is desired to create a resulting lipstick  44  having a relatively orange appearance, a pigment having a yellow hue can be measured and added. This process can be repeated using the various shades of pigments  24  provided with kit  20  until the specific shade desired by the customer is achieved. 
   While the list of particular pigments  24  provided with each kit  20  can vary greatly with each kit  20  sold, in the preferred embodiment twenty distinct pigments are provided, each in its own respective container as indicated in the drawings. The exact chemical compound used to create each pigment  24  is not of importance to the present invention, but rather the shades, or family of shades, is of importance to the present invention. Toward that end, four distinct family of shades are provided, namely: cool shades, i.e., blackberry, wineberry, ruby red, and magenta; warm shades, i.e., coral, crimson, paprika, flame, tangerine, peach, and russet; brown shades, i.e., brown, mahogany, and cocoa; and toner shades, i.e., white, black, ochre, marigold, sapphire, and blueberry. It is to be understood that through the provision of such a wide variety of pigments  24  a resulting family of lipstick shades numbering in the thousands can be achieved. 
   In addition to pigments  24 , a variety of bases  26  are also provided, each base  26  being contained in its own individual container as illustrated in the drawings. In the preferred embodiment, the bases include a cream base used to create a relatively moist, sheer, or frosted lipstick, a matte base used to create a long lasting lipstick, and a butter base, used to create an extremely sheer and glossy lipstick. Again, the exact chemical composition of the bases  26  are not of particular relevance to the present invention, but rather it is to be understood that bases  26  are used primarily to create the texture and consistency of the resulting lipstick  44 , whereas pigments  24  are used to create the specific color of lipstick  44 . While bases  26  of the preferred embodiment are not shaded, alternative embodiments could include a larger number of bases already pre-colored to a particular hue. The pre-colored bases could then provide a starting point to which colored pigments could be added. 
   With regard to additives  28  and frostings  29 , the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a variety of additives which can be added to the blended pigments  24  and bases  26  to alter the characteristics of lipstick  44 . For example, a moisture additive including known moisturizers such as oils and vitamins can be provided, a sunscreen additive having a specific sun protection factor (SPF) can be added, or a frost additive used to create a specific texture or reflective appearance can also be added. A frost additive is considered to be a pigment as understood by those skilled in the art and is often in powdered form and measured by scoops. For lip coloring products such as lip gloss, frosts may be the only type of pigment in the kit. Moreover, if it is desired to have a particular fragrance or flavor in accompaniment to the specific shade of lipstick  44 , various scents or flavors can be added as well. Such additives  28  and frostings  29 , would be added to pigments  24  and bases  26  in the same manner as mentioned above or according to the preferred method herein described. Any variety of tools can be used to dispense the additives including scoops, brushes, and droppers. 
   Upon arriving at the particular shade, of the desired lipstick  44 , the resulting blend  46 , in the preferred method, can be deposited into heating vessel  34  already containing base  26  for subsequent heating and liquefaction. Bases  26  are preferably provided in heating vessel  34  in sufficient quantity to form two (2) lipsticks, however, it is to be understood that different quantities can be provided. It is also to be understood that bases  26  can be mixed with blend  46  on blending sheet  30  if desired and then deposited into heating vessel  34  for liquefaction. To perform this function, mixing tool  32  or an alternative tool can be used to scrape blend  46  from the blending sheet  30  and into heating vessel  34 . Blending sheet  30  can then be removed and thrown away to leave measuring sheet  22  ready for subsequent uses. 
   In normal operation, the specific quantities of pigments  24 , bases  26 , additives  28  and frostings  29  would be recorded using a recordation sheet to memorialize the specific composition of blend  46 . In order to transform blend  46  into the shape of a conventional lipstick  44 , heating vessel  34  is heated to a temperature sufficient to liquefy blend  46  and base  26 . In the preferred embodiment, this is performed through the use of a conventional microwave oven preferably having a maximum power output of 600–650 watts. Under normal circumstances using such an oven a heating time of approximately sixty seconds will be sufficient to adequately liquefy the composition. Other suitable heating means that can also be used with the kit of the present invention include a heating block, a steam bath, a water bath, a conventional oven, a flame, a hot air blower, any number of electrical heating devices (such as a hot light), or other such heating mechanisms known in the art. In any event, it is understood that the heating means is typically not sold with the kit but is a device that the buyer of the kit typically already has at their home or store. 
   After blend  46  and base  26  have been heated to the point of liquefaction, the liquefied blend can be poured from heating vessel  34  into mold  36 . Alternatively, additional pigments, additives, or frostings can be added after heating to further fine tune the lipstick. More specifically, the liquefied blend  46  can be poured from heating vessel  34  into one of the cavities  52  provided in mold  36 . In the preferred embodiment, four cavities  52  are provided, but it is to be understood that in alternative embodiments, the exact number of cavities  52  can vary greatly. As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the preferred embodiment of mold  36  is of a clam shell design having first and second mating sides  54  and  56 . Sides  54  and  56  are joined by hinge  58  to allow for removal of lipsticks  44 . It can also be seen that each side  54  and  56  is comprised of a top portion  60  and bottom portion  62 , the importance and function of which will be described in further detail herein. Although only the preferred form of mold  36  is depicted, it is to be understood that a wide range of mold types can be employed including metal molds, plastic molds, single cavity molds, multiple cavity molds, and the like. Such molds need not be in the shape of a conventional lipstick, but can be of the shape of a lip balm jar, tub or the like. Products stored in a lip balm jar which are equivalent to lipstick include lip gloss which is somewhat softer that lipstick in composition and can be applied with a tool or alternatively with a finger. Lipstick, lip gloss and the like can generally be characterized as lip coloring products. 
   With regard to each bottom portion  62  of first and second sides  54  and  56 , it can be seen that when brought together in mating orientation, they form cavities  52  having the shape of a conventional lipstick with canted tip  64  (See  FIG. 5 ). It can also be seen that the diameter of cavities  52 , as well as the depth of cavities  52  will result in a lipstick  44  having a conventional shape and size. In order to correctly and consistently align first and second side  54  and  56  as well as top and bottom portions  60  and  62 , dowels  66  are provided to penetrate through adjacent portions to thereby align adjacent portions and result in uniformly shaped cavities  52 . In order to further lock first and second sides  54  and  56  into mating configuration, locking clasps are used to join first side  54  to second side  56  when desired. As best shown in  FIG. 4 , each locking clasp is comprised of threaded rod  70  which is adapted to pivot about pin  72  attached to first side  54  and pass through channel  74  provided in second side  56 . Threaded knob  76  can then be used to attach to rod  70  and be tightened against the outer surface of second side  56  to lock first side  54  and second side  56 . Similar locking clasps are provided for top portion  60  and bottom portion  62 . 
   When it is desired to pour heated blend  46  from vessel  34  into mold  36 , first and second sides  54  and  56  will be joined together as will top portions  60  and bottom portions  62  as best shown in  FIG. 3 . Heated blend  46  will be poured into cavities  52  until full and allowed to cool. In the preferred embodiment, approximately three minutes will be required to allow the heated blend  46  to cool to a hardened state at which time top portion  60  of first side  54  can be loosened from top portion  60  of second side  56 . Top portion  60  can then be entirely removed from mold  36  to reveal bottoms  80  of lipsticks  44  as best shown in  FIG. 6 . At this point, lipstick cases  38 , which are of a conventional design, can be pressed down onto bottoms  80  and, given the consistency and texture of lipstick  44 , adhered thereto. To facilitate this action, it is desirable that lipstick case  38  be rotated to its uppermost extended position to allow for its base to easily contact bottom  80  of lipstick  44 . Alternatively, the hardened lipstick  44  can be re-melted and additional pigments or additives can be added before affixing the lipstick cases  38 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 6 , upon lipstick case  38  being adhered to lipstick  44 , the individual lipsticks  44  can be removed from cavities  52  of bottom portion  62 . Case  38  can then be rotated to retract lipstick  44  into case  38  to allow for a cap to be attached thereto. In the preferred embodiment, a non-stick coating is provided on each cavity  52  to facilitate removal of lipsticks  44  from mold  36 . In the most preferred embodiment, a non-stick coating similar to Teflon® is used, but other non-stick compounds having similar characteristics can be used with equal efficacy. 
   From the foregoing, it can therefore be seen that the present invention brings to the art a new and improved apparatus and method by which lipstick can be custom blended, at a retail counter, or at home for personal use, and fabricated into a conventional lipstick case for use in a matter of minutes. Such a kit not only greatly expands the ability of a retail outlet to tailor its supply to the specific demands of the individual customer, but greatly enhances the satisfaction of the individual customer by quickly providing the exact shade and consistency of lipstick desired without the time consuming and often futile process of visiting multiple retailers and searching through expansive volumes of lipstick inventory. Moreover, once a particular lipstick is created, its recipe can be recorded for subsequent batch creation to thereby avoid reliance on a particular manufacturer which subsequently discontinues a desired type of lipstick. 
   It will also be appreciated that in another embodiment, one or each of the containers used for the bases may double as a heating vessel for use in heating the lip coloring product to a liquefied form. The mold itself could also be utilized as a heating vessel if so desired. Regular household items could also be selected for use as a heating vessel. 
   All of the references cited herein, including patents, patent applications, and publications, are hereby incorporated in their entireties by reference. 
   The foregoing description of various embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise embodiments disclosed. Numerous modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments discussed were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.