Patent Publication Number: US-11033090-B2

Title: Apparatus and method for heating depilatory wax

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the filing benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/516,020, filed 6 Jun. 2017, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention pertains generally to beauty treatment, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for heating depilatory wax. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In current practice, soft depilatory wax is packaged for sale and use in rigid metal cans which an aesthetician or user places into a wax warmer for heating. Common round-ended applicators cannot reach into the corner formed between the side wall and bottom of the can, and therefore some wax remains in the can and is wasted. After use, the can is generally disposed of along with any wax remaining in the can, resulting in significant material and monetary waste. 
     Multiple cans may be packaged together for shipment. The shape and rigidity of the cans results in wasted space in the shipping container, and leads to higher than necessary shipping costs. Additional package space is used and money spent on packaging materials to protect the cans from damage in transport. 
     There is therefore a need in the art for an apparatus for heating depilatory wax which can be easily cleaned and reused, packaged and shipped in a cost-efficient manner, and reduces or eliminates wasted wax, packaging material, and wax containers. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to an apparatus for heating hard or soft depilatory wax which includes a reservoir comprised of a resilient material, and a collar. An apparatus of the embodiments described herein has never been used in the hair removal industry for the purpose of containing and heating depilatory wax, and provides several beneficial features, including easy cleaning and reuse, and reduced waste of both wax and packaging. A system is provided for packaging and distributing the apparatus with soft wax packaged in bags, offering decreased shipping cost over current methods. 
     In accordance with an embodiment an apparatus for heating depilatory wax in a cooperating wax warmer includes: 
     a reservoir shaped and dimensioned to be received by a heating chamber of the wax warmer, the reservoir having a sidewall and a top opening, the top opening having an inner profile internal to and defined by the sidewall, and an outer profile at the periphery of the sidewall; 
     a collar configured for placement adjacent the top opening of the reservoir, the collar having a lip sized to extend outwardly from the outer profile of the top opening of the reservoir, and an aperture surrounded by the lip and configured for alignment with the top opening; and, 
     wherein the reservoir is formed of a resilient, heat resistant material. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, the lip of the collar is sized to completely cover the heating chamber of the wax warmer. This features prevents wax from dripping into the heating chamber of the wax warmer, and permits use of a reservoir which is sized slightly smaller than the heating chamber. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, the collar has a bottom portion configured for insertion through the top opening of the reservoir such that the lip remains external to the reservoir. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, the reservoir and the collar are formed of a nonstick material. In accordance with another embodiment, the reservoir is formed of a silicone rubber material. In accordance with another embodiment, the collar is formed of a silicone rubber material. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, the reservoir has a bottom which is convex and forms a curved abutment with the sidewall internal to the reservoir. This feature permits an applicator with a rounded end to access the internal bottom edge of the reservoir for more complete removal of wax. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, the apparatus includes a lid having a closed top and a bottom lid portion below the closed top, and the bottom lid portion is configured for insertion through the top opening of the reservoir. In accordance with another embodiment, the lid has an outer edge sized to cover the heating chamber of the wax warmer and configured to remain external to the reservoir. 
     Other embodiments, in addition to the embodiments enumerated above, will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the apparatus and method of use. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a reduced exploded perspective view of an apparatus for heating depilatory wax. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a reservoir of the apparatus. 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the reservoir, the rear view being identical. 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of the reservoir. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a collar of the apparatus. 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of the collar. 
         FIG. 8  is a front view of the collar. 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the reservoir and collar assembled. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the reservoir. 
         FIG. 12  is an enlarged detail view of area  12  of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a lid of the apparatus. 
         FIG. 14  is a top view of the lid. 
         FIG. 15  is a front view of the lid. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , there is illustrated a reduced exploded perspective view of an apparatus for heating depilatory wax in a cooperating wax warmer. The apparatus includes a reservoir  20  and a collar  30 . The wax warmer is generally designated  500 . Reservoir  20  is shaped and dimensioned to be received by a heating chamber  502  of wax warmer  500 . Reservoir  20  has an interior  26  which is configured to receive a portion of a depilatory wax  600  and to contain the wax while being heated for use. A collar  30  is configured for placement adjacent a top opening  28  of the reservoir. Collar  30  has a lip  34  which is sized to extend outwardly from an outer profile  44  of the reservoir top opening  28  (see  FIGS. 4 &amp; 10 ). Lip  34  is designed to cover any gap between reservoir  20  and wax warmer  500 , for purposes of catching spilled or dripped wax and preventing such wax from directly entering heating chamber  502 . 
       FIGS. 2-5  are, respectively, perspective, front, top, and cross-sectional views of reservoir  20 . Reservoir  20  is substantially rotationally symmetric about a longitudinal axis extending from top opening  28  to a bottom  24 ; therefore, views of the rear and left and right sides are substantially identical to the view of  FIG. 3 . Reservoir  20  has a sidewall  22  by which interior  26  is defined. Sidewall  22  further defines an inner profile  42  of the top opening (profile internal to the sidewall) and the outer profile  44  (defined by the periphery of the sidewall). 
     Reservoir  20  is formed of a resilient material. The reservoir may therefore be temporarily deformed and will resume its original shape. The material of reservoir  20  is heat resistant, i.e. thermally stable, at least to temperatures commonly reached in wax warmers. In other embodiments, the reservoir and collar may be formed of a nonstick material, i.e. a material which permits easy removal of hardened wax. In an embodiment, reservoir  20  is comprised of a silicone rubber material (silicone). In an embodiment, reservoir  20  is comprised of about 100% silicone (about 100% means 100% less any residual material impurities). In another embodiment, the reservoir is comprised of about 100% high quality FDA food grade silicone material which is heat resistant to about 230° C. (about 446° F.). The silicone material may be microwave, oven, and dishwasher safe, eco-friendly, and BPA free. This silicone material may also pass European Union REACH testing (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals). 
       FIGS. 6-9  are, respectively, perspective, top, front, and cross-sectional views of collar  30 . Collar  30  has a centrally located aperture  36  surrounded by a lip  34 . The collar is substantially rotationally symmetric about a longitudinal axis extending through aperture  36 , and therefore views of the rear and left and right sides are substantially identical to the view of  FIG. 8 . 
       FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of reservoir  20  and collar  30  in a position of use, with a cooperating wax warmer  500  shown in broken lines. In embodiments, collar  30  may have a bottom portion  32  which is inserted into top opening  28  of reservoir  20 . When collar  30  and reservoir  20  are thus assembled, lip  34  remains external to reservoir  20 . Bottom portion  32  may be sized to snugly fit within the inner profile  42  of reservoir  20 . 
     Embodiments of the collar include a lip  34  sized to completely cover heating chamber  502  of wax warmer  500  when in use. In addition to preventing wax from entering heating chamber  502 , lip  34  further enables use of a smaller diameter reservoir with a larger warmer. By way of example, a reservoir having an outer diameter, D 1  (see  FIG. 5 ), of 4 inches may be used with a collar having a top lip diameter, D 2  (see  FIG. 9 ), of 5.75 inches. A reservoir having an outer diameter, D 1 , of 3.75 inches may be used with a collar having a top lip diameter, D 2 , of 5 inches. In this manner, a reservoir  20  having a smaller diameter may be used in a warmer  500  sized to accept a larger diameter container (i.e. having a heating chamber diameter, D 3  (see  FIG. 10 ), wherein D 3  is significantly larger than D 1 ). 
     The apparatus is universally sized, meaning that it is sized for use with almost any commonly used wax warmer. Reservoir  20  has a height, H (see  FIG. 3 ), which may conveniently be reduced to accommodate a shorter wax warmer by trimming off a top section of the reservoir, such as with scissors. By way of example, the reservoir height, H, may be 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 5, or 5.75 inches. A reservoir having an exemplary height, H, of 5.75 inches may be trimmed to have a shorter height, for example 3 inches. In the embodiment of  FIG. 11 , reservoir  20  is shown marked with an indicia  40  which may guide a user in trimming the height. More than one indicia  40  may be present in other embodiments. Indicia  40  may be embossed or debossed in the exterior surface of the reservoir, or otherwise marked such as in ink. 
     In embodiments, collar  30  may be formed of a resilient, heat-resistant material, such as a silicone rubber material. The material of collar  30  may have properties such as those discussed above in regard to material composition of reservoir  20 . Resiliency of the reservoir and collar is advantageous in that the apparatus components may be flattened for packaging, shipment, or storage, and will resume their original shape for use. By flattening reservoirs prior to shipping, the reservoirs may be packaged in a relatively small container, when compared with the rigid metal reservoirs commonly used in the art. Costs associated with shipping reservoirs may therefore be significantly reduced, resulting in both economic savings and environmental benefit. 
     In exemplary embodiments, reservoir  20  and collar  30  have a wall thickness, T (see  FIGS. 5 &amp; 9 ), of 60, 70, 80, or 90 mils. 
     In another embodiment, reservoir  20  and collar  30  may be unitarily formed (i.e., the reservoir and collar may be formed in a single piece). 
     In another embodiment, best seen in  FIGS. 3 &amp; 5 , bottom  24  of reservoir  20  is convex. This feature promotes complete removal of wax from the reservoir with an applicator having a round end, thereby reducing waste wax. Convex bottom  24  may, for example, have a depth, C, of 0.125, 0.187, or 0.25 inches. 
       FIG. 12  is an enlarged detail view of area  12  of  FIG. 5 . In the shown embodiment, bottom  24  forms a curved abutment with sidewall  22  on the reservoir interior  26 . This feature enables a rounded applicator to access the interior edge or corner of the bottom, further promoting complete removal of wax from the reservoir. In embodiments, bottom  24  may also form a curved abutment with sidewall  22  on the reservoir exterior. 
       FIGS. 13-15  are, respectively, perspective, top, and front views of lid  50 , the rear, left and right side views being substantially identical to  FIG. 15 . Lid  50  has a closed top  56  and a bottom lid portion  52  below top  56 . Bottom lid portion  52  is configured for insertion through top opening  28  of reservoir  20 . In an embodiment, lid  50  may be inserted through top opening  28  to cover the reservoir when a collar and reservoir are assembled together. In this embodiment, bottom lid portion  52  may be sized to snugly fit within aperture  36  of the collar. In another embodiment, lid  50  is designed to cover reservoir  20  when a collar is not in place on the reservoir; in this case bottom lid portion  52  may be sized to snugly fit within inner profile  42  of the reservoir. 
     In some embodiments, lid  50  has an outer edge  54  which overhangs reservoir sidewall when installed, and is sized to cover the heating chamber of the wax warmer in a similar manner to embodiments of the lip of collar  30 . 
     In an embodiment, reservoir  20  and collar  30  have a lime green color, such as Pantone 375C. Embodiments of lid  50  may have the same color as the reservoir and collar. 
     In an embodiment, a system or kit for hair removal is provided (see  FIG. 1 ), which includes a reservoir  20  and a collar  30  in accordance with any of the embodiments described above. The resilient reservoir of the system is compressed and contained in a first package. Compression of the reservoir, for example by flattening, reduces its shipping volume. The system also includes a portion of wax  600  packaged in a second package, such as a bag  700 . 
     In exemplary embodiments of the system, the portion of wax is a depilatory soft wax in a quantity of 10, 12, 14, or 16 ounces. The kit may include a plurality of reservoirs, a plurality of collars, a plurality of bagged portions of wax, or combinations thereof. The kit may further include one or more lids in accordance with embodiments described above. Costs associated with shipping the kit as described above are greatly reduced compared to shipping portions of soft wax contained in rigid metal reservoirs, as is current practice. 
     In terms of use, a method of heating depilatory wax  600  in a cooperating wax warmer  500  includes (refer to  FIGS. 1-15 ): 
     (a) providing an apparatus including:
         (i) a reservoir  20  shaped and dimensioned to be received by a heating chamber  502  of the wax warmer, the reservoir having a sidewall  22  and a top opening  28 , the top opening having an inner profile  42  internal to and defined by the sidewall, and an outer profile  44  at the periphery of the sidewall;   (ii) a collar  30  having a lip  34  sized to extend outwardly from the outer profile of the top opening of the reservoir, and an aperture  36  surrounded by the lip and configured for alignment with the top opening, the lip sized to cover the heating chamber of the wax warmer; and,   (iii) wherein the reservoir is formed of a resilient, heat resistant material;       

     (b) providing a portion of depilatory wax; 
     (c) placing the reservoir into the wax warmer; 
     (d) placing the portion of depilatory wax into the reservoir; 
     (e) arranging the collar so that the aperture is aligned with the top opening of the reservoir and the lip covers the heating chamber of the wax warmer; and, 
     (f) warming the depilatory wax. 
     In embodiments, the reservoir surface is non-stick, enabling easy cleaning and reuse of the reservoir. This feature contributes to improved hygiene, waste reduction, decreased cost, and improved convenience for the user. 
     The method of steps (a)-(f) above, further including: 
     (g) after (f), permitting the portion of depilatory wax to cool until the wax is sufficiently firm to be handled; 
     (h) turning the reservoir inside out; 
     (i) peeling the portion of depilatory wax out of the reservoir; and, 
     (j) turning the reservoir back to its original orientation. 
     When used with soft wax, the below method may be used to clean the reservoir for reuse. Chilling the reservoir and wax, such as in a freezer, will firm the soft wax sufficiently to permit handling in a manner similar to a room temperature hard wax. The method of steps (a)-(j) above, further including: 
     in (b), the portion of depilatory wax being a soft wax; and, 
     in (g), chilling the portion of depilatory wax for a period of time sufficient to substantially firm the portion of depilatory wax. 
     The embodiments of the apparatus and method for heating depilatory wax described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, combinations, variations, and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve an equivalent result, all of which are intended to be embraced within the scope of the appended claims. Further, nothing in the above-provided discussions of the apparatus and method should be construed as limiting the invention to a particular embodiment or combination of embodiments. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.