Patent Publication Number: US-8979408-B2

Title: Method and apparatus for applying solid paint to skin

Description:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/664,584, filed Jun. 26, 2012, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention concerns a method and an apparatus for applying paint in solid form to the skin. More particularly, it is concerned with a method and an apparatus whereby a single dispenser may be provided which holds solid paint at two opposite ends, thereby permitting the user to selectively apply solid paint of different colors or color combinations from a single dispenser. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Solid paint has long been used by performers and others to alter ones visual appearance. By “solid” as used in this application is meant paint which is self-sustaining in shape and still transfer colorant to the skin within the range of temperatures normally encountered in an outdoor environment, e.g. about 0° F. (−18° C.) to 100° F. (38° C.). Paint sticks, sometimes described as “greasepaint”, have been used to alter the skin&#39;s color, as well as charcoal and burnt cork. The handling of these substances can be messy and thus articles for holding the solid paint have been used. 
     More recently, hunters and military members have used solid paint to camouflage the skin in an effort to blend into the surroundings. The use of one, or even two different colors may not have satisfactory camouflaging abilities in order to avoid detection by game or an armed enemy. These users have more demanding requirements because the solid paint must often be applied to the skin in multiple colors in the field, and they have limited ability to carry accessory items such as multiple paint dispensers for different colors. U.S. Design Pat. No. 635,866 shows an ornamental design for a paint stick dispenser, but it is believed that substantial improvements to the art in this field are needed. Thus, there has developed a need for an improved paint dispenser to meet the demands of, for example, hunters and military members for a lightweight, portable solid paint dispenser offering enhanced capabilities. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     These and other objects have largely been met by the method and apparatus of the present invention. That is to say, the method and apparatus for applying solid paint to the skin avoids the need for the user to hold a plurality or multiplicity of separate articles for each separate color to be used, and is especially handy for use in one or the other hand to reach different skin areas. 
     The apparatus of the present invention includes a housing having a long axis, with removable caps on each end. A first paint receptacle holding a first quantity of solid paint is oriented to extend away from the housing at a first end, and a second paint receptacle containing a second quantity of solid paint, preferably of a different color than the first quantity of solid paint extends away from the first quantity at a second end of the housing. Preferably, the first receptacle is coupled to the housing for reciprocal motion along the long axis relative to the housing upon manual manipulation of an actuator. Thus, the amount of the first quantity of solid paint exposed beyond a first rim can be manually controlled by the user. The second receptacle may be mounted in a fixed relationship to the housing, but also may be removably mounted without damaging the housing whereby a replacement receptacle can be substituted to replenish the apparatus when the second quantity of solid paint is exhausted or to substitute a different color of the second quantity of solid paint. Similarly, the first receptacle may be configured similar to the second receptacle whereby the first receptacle may be either fixedly mounted to a receiver on the actuator within the housing or removably mounted to the receiver of the actuator within the housing. Most preferably, the first and second receptacles are of the same configuration, permitting installation and use of the first and second quantities of solid paint at either end of the housing. Caps are preferably provided for covering each end of the housing to prevent undesired exposure of the first and second quantities of solid paint. Preferably, the caps are of a common configuration for mounting on the housing, so that either cap may be coupled to the housing at either end, and most preferably the caps are transparent to permit the user to see the color and/or quantity of paint held by each of the first and second receptacles remaining for use. 
     The first receptacle may be provided with solid paint components in a plurality or multiplicity of colors, whereby different colors may be applied to the skin simultaneously by engaging the components with and moving them across the skin at the same time. This may enhance the camouflage effect by ensuring that multiple selected colors are applied at the same time in a common pattern without any gaps between the applied colors on the skin. 
     The second quantity of solid paint positioned at the second end may be of a different color than the color of the first quantity of solid paint, if a single unit, or any of the components thereof. Thus, by simply removing both caps and manipulating the apparatus with one hand, the user may quickly apply different colors in different patterns, and more readily blend different solid paint colors on the skin itself to quickly see and adapt the “as seen” color pattern. Both the first and the second receptacle may be provided of an elastomeric material which is retained in the housing by ribs received in corresponding, complemental grooves in the housing or alternatively a receiver of the actuator within the housing, and is thus removably mounted in the housing to permit replenishment of the either the first quantity of solid paint or the second quantity of solid paint independently of one another with a replacement when the initial first or second solid paint quantity is exhausted or when a different color is to be substituted and used. 
     The method of the present invention includes the steps of providing an apparatus having a first and a second quantity of solid paint suitable for application to the human skin positioned to extend from a single housing at longitudinally opposite ends of the housing, applying the first quantity of solid paint to human skin, and then reversing the dispenser to apply the second quantity of solid paint to the human&#39;s skin. In preferred embodiments, the first quantity of solid paint may be comprised of side-by-side components arranged linearly whereby the application of the first quantity of paint to the skin yields three different colors in a side-by-side application pattern, with the second quantity of paint being of a different color than any of the three components. The method may further include the step of replacing the first or the second quantity of solid paint, for example with a different color of solid paint or solid paint combination, or when the amount of solid paint in the first or second quantity of solid paint is reduced to an amount requiring replenishment. 
     By the provision of additional colors of solid paint in the housing itself, and in the particularly preferred embodiments where first and/or second quantities of paint are mounted to the housing and held by readily removable and replaceable receptacles, even greater flexibility of color selection by the user is made possible. For example, when the user desires to apply the paint to the skin for camouflage purposes, having 4, 6 or possibly even more solid paint colors readily available allows the apparatus to adapt to different foliage conditions. Different colors or color combinations of the quantities of solid paint will allow the user to select for application the desired colors for blending in with Spring or Fall foliage, for woodland, prairie, marsh or desert environments, for nighttime conditions, or other outdoor environments. 
     The present invention offers a number of practical benefits to both those providing the apparatus for sale and for the user. These benefits include:
         Providing an apparatus which is as much as 30% larger in size than typical dispensers of solid paint, making handling and manipulation of users who may be wearing gloves easier;   Providing two, four or six different available colors of solid paint mounted to the housing instead of three in some existing dispensers for increased camouflage effect and flexibility of pattern application and blending of colors;   Providing either two fixed quantities of solid paint or a combination of fixed solid paint and retractable solid paint relative to the housing so as to maximize the amount of paint provided in a useful sized housing or to minimize the weight in the field carried by a hunter which makes long treks into the mountains or other demanding terrain or by a military member engaged in field operations;   Providing a potential increase of 60% to 100% of a useable amount of solid paint and up to 100% more color options for the user in a single apparatus as compared to existing apparatus;   Provides removable caps of a common configuration for protecting the user from the solid paint during times of non-desired application whereby the caps are interchangeable;   Providing a plurality of receptacles with a common configuration and a housing complementally configured to permit removal of the receptacles at each end, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and providing greater flexibility to the user;   Provides a single apparatus to provide more paint in more colors, thereby reducing the number of articles which must be carried in the field or displayed at retail either on the shelf on in a catalog;   Providing an apparatus where upon exhaustion of either the first or second quantity of solid paint, a replacement receptacle may be installed in the housing, thereby reducing waste, reducing the environmental impact and providing a more environmentally friendly product; and   Providing refill and substitution options thereby potentially lowering costs to the user by as much as 50%.       

     It may be appreciated after considering the foregoing summary of the invention that the selection of the colors and combinations of colors of the solid paint are virtually limitless, and thus the method and apparatus hereof is not limited to use by hunters and military members, but may be used by athletes and fans to indicate school color combinations and affiliations, in the performing arts, and for seasonal holidays such as Halloween. These and other opportunities and objects will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art with reference to the drawings and detailed description forming a part of this disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of an embodiment of the apparatus for applying solid paint to the skin of the present invention showing the caps in place at each end of the housing; 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric view similar to  FIG. 1 , but showing the caps removed to reveal the relative position of first and second quantities of solid paint when the first quantity of solid paint is in a retracted position; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged isometric view of the apparatus hereof, with the housing shown only in broken lines to reveal the axially extending shaft and first receptacle coupled to the actuator for moving the first receptacle and the first quantity of solid paint relative to the housing, and the second receptacle for holding the second quantity of solid paint in fixed relationship to the housing; 
         FIG. 4  is an elevational view of the apparatus hereof with the caps in place on either end, similar to  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4  through the longitudinal axis of the apparatus to show the actuator and the housing with the first receptacle in a retracted position; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5  through the longitudinal axis of the apparatus and rotated 90° relative to the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 5  showing the position of the first quantity of solid paint in a retracted position in solid lines and showing the extended position of the first quantity of solid paint when the actuator is rotated to push the first receptacle relative to the housing; 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded isometric view taken from the right end of the apparatus hereof, showing various components thereof, and 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded isometric view taken from the left end of the apparatus hereof, showing various components thereof, and further showing a replacement receptacle. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawing, an apparatus  10  for applying solid paint to human skin is shown in  FIGS. 1-8  and broadly includes a housing  12 , first and second caps  14  and  16  positioned at respective ends of the housing  10 , a first receptacle  18  holding a first quantity of solid paint  20 , a second receptacle  22  holding a second quantity of solid paint  24 , and an actuator  26  for selectively shifting the first receptacle relative to the housing  12 . 
     In greater detail, the housing  12  is preferably molded of a substantially rigid synthetic resin material with limited flexibility, such as polyvinylchloride, and has a longitudinally extending axis presenting a first end  28  and a second end  30 . The housing  12  is generally oblong when viewed in transverse section, thus having a greater width W than height H, with a length L which is greater than both the width and the height. The housing  12  may preferably include first housing section  32  including the first end  28  and a second housing section  34  including the second end  30 . The first housing section  32  has an outer wall  36  presenting an exterior surface  38  with a first neck  40  of a generally reduced dimension to receive thereon first cap  14  which, when fully mounted, abuts first shoulder  42  as seen in  FIG. 1 . The outer wall  36  of the first housing section  32  also has an interior surface  44  and a transverse wall  46  having a port  48  which may be aligned with the longitudinally extending axis A of the housing. The first housing section  32  may include a remote portion  32 A which includes neck  40  which is transparent, and a proximate portion  32 B which may be painted to be opaque. A first segment  50  of the interior surface  44  and the transverse wall  46  define a chamber  50  into which the first receptacle  18  is positioned. A second segment  52  of the interior surface  44  distanced farther from the first end  28  than the transverse wall  46  and includes arcuate, partially circumferentially-extending grooves  54 . The second housing section  34  is configured to mate with the first housing section  32  by a snap-fit connection. The second housing section  34  thus includes a sleeve  56  which is provided, on its exterior surface  58 , with radially extending ribs  60  complementally configured to mate and be received in the grooves  54 . A base wall  62  extends transversely across the second housing section  34  to define, with the sleeve  56  and the transverse wall  46 , an actuator chamber  63 . The base wall  62  may include an actuator guide  64  including a pair of spaced, opposed, arcuate flanges  66  and  68  which help to locate and prevent shifting of the actuator  26 . The second housing section  34  may also be provided with a collar  70  which extends away from the base wall  62 . The exterior surface  72  of the collar  70  is sized and configured to receive thereon second cap  16  (which is sized the same as first cap  14 , at least with respect to its complemental configuration both the first neck  40  and the collar  70 ) which second cap  16  rests against second shoulder  72  when fully mounted as shown in  FIG. 1 . The interior surface  44  of the first housing section  32  may include a pair of opposite, longitudinally extending channels  74  and  76  where the outer wall  36  is of a reduced thickness to permit enhanced longitudinal movement of the first receptacle  18  within the chamber  50 . The first and second housing sections thus meet along a mating line  80  when viewed externally. As seen in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  5 , a pair of recesses  82 , shown as generally circular is formed in the housing  12  along the mating line  80  of identical configuration are provided on opposite sides of the housing  12 . A slot  84  is provided in the recesses  82  through which a portion of the actuator  26  projects, but most preferably the actuator  26  does not project radially beyond the adjacent portions of the first and second housing sections as may be seen in  FIG. 5 . Thus, the first and second housing sections  32  and  34  adjacent the slot  84  retain the actuator  26  against axial movement when the actuator  26  is rotated about axis A. 
     The first receptacle  18  is positioned at or proximate to the first end  28  and may be removably received by a pusher element  85  which includes a cup-shaped first receiver  86  and an elongated, externally threaded shaft  88 , which may be molded of synthetic resin such as polyethylene as a unitary member. The shaft  88  extends along axis A and in threaded engagement with the actuator  26 . When fully retracted, as shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  5  and  6 , the internal end  90  of the shaft may abut or be positioned closely proximate the base wall  62 . The shaft  88  thus extends through port  48  when fully retracted as shown. The first receiver  86  is complementally configured with the first receptacle  18  so that the first receptacle may be removably held within the first receiver  86 . For example, when the first receptacle  18  is oblong in configuration, as seen in  FIGS. 3 ,  7  and  8 , the first receiver  86  is also oblong in configuration and sized to hold the first receptacle  18  which holds the first quantity of solid paint  20 . The first quantity of solid paint  20  preferably includes a multiplicity of side-by-side solid paint components  92 ,  94  and  96 , each of a different color. The first receptacle  18  is preferably provided of a resilient, elastomeric material such as natural or synthetic rubber or synthetic resin, and provided with a pair of tabs  98  each having ribs  100  on the outer surface thereof. The tabs  98  may advantageously be part of the first receptacle  18  but to enhance flexibility may be partially separated from a generally circumscribing side wall  102  of the first receptacle  18  by slits  104 . The ribs  100  facilitate grasping and serve to hold the first receptacle within corresponding and complementally sized and configured notches  106  provided in the first receiver  86 . At least one of the ribs  100  of each of the tabs  98  is preferably complementally sized and positioned to fit into a corresponding groove  108  in the first receptacle  18  just adjacent a respective one of the notches  106 . 
     The second receptacle  22  is positioned at or proximate to the second end  30  and may be positioned and held in a cup-shaped second receiver  110  including the collar  70  and the base wall  62 . The second receptacle may also be molded of natural or synthetic rubber or other elastomeric material. The cup shaped-second receptacle  22  is complementally configured with the interior of the collar  70  of the second housing section  24  in snap-fit relationship and includes flexible ribs  112  sized and configured to fit into corresponding grooves  78  in the collar  70 . Most preferably, the second receptacle  22  is of the same size and shape as the first receptacle  18  so that the two receptacles  18  may be interchangeably mounted in the respective receivers  86  and  110  without the use of tools. The ribs  112  of the second receptacle  22  may also be provided on flexible tabs  114 . The tabs  114  may advantageously be part of the second receptacle  18  but to enhance flexibility may be partially separated from a generally circumscribing side wall  102  of the first receptacle  18  by slits  116 . The ribs  112  facilitate grasping and serve to hold the second receptacle  22  within corresponding and complementally sized and configured notches  118  provided in the second receiver  110 . The second receptacle  22  may have a base surface  120  which presses against the base wall  62  when inserted into the second receptacle during use. By being fixed rather than shiftable, the second receptacle  22  configured to maximize the second quantity of solid paint  24  within an available space of the housing  12 . The second quantity of sold paint  22  is thus held within the cup shaped second receptacle  22  which is in turn located within a second chamber  122  of the housing  12  in order for at least a portion of the solid paint to project beyond the second end  30 . 
     The actuator  26  may be provided as a unitary member molded of synthetic resin such as polyvinylchloride having a longitudinally extending tube  124  having a central internally threaded passageway  126  which receives therein the shaft  88 . The actuator may include a ribbed wheel  128  which projects through the slots  84  in the housing  12  but preferably only within the recesses and not radially substantially beyond the exterior surface of the housing  12 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  3  and  5 . The actuator  26  may also include a base socket  130  which fits into the actuator guide  84 , with tube  124  extends through the port  48 . 
     The caps  14  and  16  are most preferably transparent, whereby the colors of the first and second quantity of solid paint are revealed without the necessity of removing the caps. In addition or alternatively to providing transparent caps, the first housing section  32  may be entirely transparent or alternatively a transparent portion  32 A may be provided. 
     Use of the apparatus  10  may be readily accomplished by removing one or preferably both caps  14  and  16 , then rotating the actuator  26  by finger pressure against the ribbed wheel  128 . Because the actuator is fixed against axial movement by the portions of the first and second housing sections adjacent the slots  84  through which the ribbed wheel projects, the engagement of the rotating threaded passageway  106  with the threaded shaft  88  produces axial movement of the first receptacle to push the first quantity of solid paint away from the transverse wall so that more of the first quantity of solid paint is exposed beyond the first end  28 . 
     The provision of channels  74  and  76  enables the actuator to move the first receptacle  18  through the chamber  50  without the ribs  104  engaging the inner surface  44  of the first housing section  32  in such a way that movement is impeded or the first receptacle is dislodged from the first receiver  86 . The user then applies the first quantity of solid paint to the human skin (the solid paint as used herein is preferably approved for use on skin, most preferably by a regulatory agency such as the FDA, and may be odorless). When the preferred embodiment is employed with three side-by-side paint components  92 ,  94  and  96  of three different colors, the application is most effective when the three components contact the skin simultaneously. The user may then apply finger pressure against the ribbed wheel in the opposite direction to retract the first receptacle, manipulate the housing  12  to reverse the positions of the first and second ends, and apply the second quantity of solid paint—preferably of a fourth color, either to a different part of the skin or to blend some of the paint already applied. 
     The provision of first and second receptacles  18 ,  22  which can be removed and replaced especially enhances the economy and usability of the apparatus  10  hereof. By configuring the receptacles with flexible tabs and holding ribs, the receptacles are able to be grasped and removed in outdoor environments where the user may be wearing gloves, whereas conventional designs of dispensers require the entire apparatus to be discarded when the applied material is or is nearly spent. The provision of removable and replaceable receptacles has additional advantages not readily apparent—for example, if the first quantity of paint  20 , which has a longer longitudinal extent originally, is reduced in longitudinal length, then it can be removed and placed in the second receiver  110 . More over, the provision of replaceable receptacles allows the substitution of different colors of solid paint for application. By way of example, if used by a fan of a particular sporting team whose colors are red and blue, a spouse of the fan could replace the red and blue quantities of paint in the first and second receptacles with receptacles (e.g., replacement receptacle  140  of  FIG. 8 ) having black and gold and use the same housing. Another example might be that a hunter in the field could have multiple color combinations and replace different colors or color combinations of solid paint according to season or local environment while still using the same apparatus. 
     Although preferred forms of the invention have been described above, it is to be recognized that such disclosure is by way of illustration only, and should not be utilized in a limiting sense in interpreting the scope of the present invention. Various modifications may be made within the scope of the teaching of the present invention as set forth herein in view of applicant&#39;s disclosure without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, it may be appreciated that a second quantity of solid paint also having three side-by-side color components for the second receptacle  22  the same as is illustrated for first quantity of solid paint  20  could be used to provide a second multiplicity of side-by-side solid paint components  92 ,  94  and  96 , and likewise each may be of a different color. Moreover, the surface of the housing and caps may be textured or provided with ribs or other structures to enhance the appearance and ornamental distinctiveness and/or to improve the ability to grip the housing and/or caps. 
     The inventor hereby states his intent to rely on the Doctrine of Equivalents to determine and assess the reasonably fair scope of his invention as pertains to any apparatus not materially departing from but outside the literal scope of the invention as set out in the following claims.