Patent Abstract:
A portable mixing device may include a base that has a retention wall defining a recess and a driver that includes a driving magnet. The portable mixing device may further include a mixing chamber that can be positioned into the recess and removed therefrom. The mixing chamber may also include a mixing element with a footing, a paddle and a mixing magnet. The mixing magnet may magnetically couple to the driving magnet of the driver to induce rotation of the mixing element in the mixing chamber.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Products such as nail polish or other cosmetics are often offered by manufacturers and retailers in a variety of types and colors in order to meet the needs of consumers in the marketplace. The various types and colors are typically produced by manufacturers in advance and then distributed to retail stores or offered to consumers through other distribution channels. This can lead to rows and rows of products sitting on shelves and large quantities being held in inventory. This also requires manufacturers and retailers to attempt to predict the needs of consumers. This can be cumbersome because of the ever-changing state of fashion and the wide variety of preferences and needs of consumers. 
         [0002]    Therefore, there exists in the marketplace a need to provide a wide assortment of cosmetics, such as nail polish, to consumers in the marketplace without the drawbacks of present methods and practices. The present disclosure describes a device and method of use that permits a consumer or a retailer to create a vast assortment of cosmetics, including nail polishes, that can be prepared according the specific needs of a consumer without the disadvantages associated with traditional methods of distribution and manufacturing. 
         [0003]    The present disclosure provides, in one example, a mixing device that permits the creation of customized cosmetics without the need for specialized or cumbersome manufacturing equipment. 
         [0004]    In another example, the present disclosure provides a mixing device that can efficiently and effectively mix a variety of different materials and additives. 
         [0005]    It is still another example the present disclosure describes a mixing device that permits the mixing of the contents of a container without the need to add or remove any components such that the process is cleaner than and presents less risk of contamination than known mixing devices and methods. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0006]    In one embodiment of the present disclosure a portable mixing device includes a base with a retention wall defining a recess. The base also includes a driver with a driving magnet. In the recess, the portable mixing device includes a mixing chamber with a mixing element that includes a footing, a paddle and a mixing magnet. The mixing element is magnetically coupled to the driver to induce rotation of the mixing element. 
         [0007]    In another embodiment the footing of the portable mixing device may include a peripheral surface that is located adjacent an inner surface of an enclosure of the mixing chamber. The peripheral surface maintains the mixing element&#39;s central position inside the enclosure. 
         [0008]    In another embodiment the base of the portable mixing device may also include an activation switch located in the recess that activates the driver when the mixing chamber is positioned inside the recess. 
         [0009]    In still another embodiment, the portable mixing device may include a collar that fits within the recess that includes a border that defines a pocket. The pocket is smaller in volume than the recess such that different size mixing chambers can be used with the base. 
         [0010]    In still another embodiment, the mixing chamber of the portable mixing device is a nail polish container that includes a lid and a brush. 
         [0011]    In another embodiment, the driver of the portable mixing device may be located in a central position in the bottom of the recess and be made of a low-friction material such that when the mixing chamber is positioned and held in the recess, the driver can spin and induce the mixing element to spin in order to mix the contents of the mixing chamber. 
         [0012]    In another example of the present disclosure, a mixing chamber may include a mixing element with a footing, a paddle and a mixing magnet. the mixing chamber may also include an enclosure with a floor in which the mixing element can be removably positioned. The mixing chamber may also include a cap that can be secured to the top edge of the enclosure. 
         [0013]    In another example, the footing of the mixing chamber is disc-shaped and the paddles are perpendicular to the footing. 
         [0014]    In an example method of the present disclosure, a method of mixing nail polish may include adding a color component to a nail polish mixture inside an enclosure of a mixing chamber that includes a mixing element. The method also includes the steps of positioning the mixing chamber inside a recess of a base that includes a driver and mixing the color component and the nail polish mixture by causing the driver to spin the mixing element by magnetic coupling of the driver and the mixing element. The method may also include removing the mixing chamber from the base. 
         [0015]    In another example method, a user may also actuate a motor connected to the driver by pressing the mixing chamber on an actuation switch inside the recess of the base. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    Certain embodiments are shown in the drawings. However, it is understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the attached drawings, wherein: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is an illustration of one embodiment of a mixing device of the present disclosure. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is an illustration of one embodiment of a mixing chamber of the present disclosure. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is an illustration of one embodiment of a nail polish container of the present disclosure. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is an illustration of one embodiment of a base of the present disclosure. 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view of one embodiment of a mixing chamber of the present disclosure. 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is an illustration of one embodiment of a mixing element of the present disclosure. 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is an illustration of another embodiment of a mixing element of the present disclosure. 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is an illustration of another embodiment of a mixing element of the present disclosure. 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  is an illustration of another embodiment of a mixing element of the present disclosure. 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  is an illustration of another embodiment of a mixing element of the present disclosure. 
           [0028]      FIG. 12  is an illustration of another embodiment of a mixing element of the present disclosure. 
           [0029]      FIG. 13  is an illustration of another embodiment of a mixing element of the present disclosure. 
           [0030]      FIG. 14  is an illustration of another embodiment of a mixing element of the present disclosure. 
           [0031]      FIG. 15  is an illustration of another embodiment of a mixing element of the present disclosure. 
           [0032]      FIG. 16  is an illustration of another embodiment of a mixing element of the present disclosure. 
           [0033]      FIG. 17  is an illustration of another embodiment of a mixing element of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0034]    For the purposes of promoting and understanding the principles disclosed herein, references are now made to the preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language is used to describe the same. It is nevertheless understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device and such further applications of the principles disclosed as illustrated herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which this disclosure relates. 
         [0035]    One embodiment of a nail polish mixing device is shown in  FIG. 1 . The mixing device  100  may include base  102 , collar  104 , mixing chamber  106 , cap  108 , mixing element  110  and paddle  112 . As further shown in  FIGS. 2 and 5 , mixing chamber  106  fits into base  102  and base  102  includes driver  204 . Driver  204  is coupled to a motor (not shown) that is housed inside of base  102  that spins driver  204  and in turn, mixes the contents of mixing chamber  106  as will be further explained. Base  102 , in this example, is generally cylindrical in shape with a tapered portion toward the top. Base  102  can, however, be of any suitable size and shape that can hold the motor, electronic circuitry, power source and other required elements to provide the functionality as will be described. In one example, base  102  is an injection molded plastic component with a removable pedestal  114 . Pedestal  114  can be removed in whole from base  102  or include a door or other access point in order to provide access to the internal components of base  102 . In other examples, base  102  can be made of metals, alloys or other composite materials. 
         [0036]    Referring back to  FIGS. 2 &amp; 5 , base  102  may also include activation switch  202 , driver  204 , and retention wall  208 . In this embodiment, base  102  includes upstanding retention wall  208  that defines recess  216 . When in use during the mixing process, mixing chamber  106  is placed inside recess  216  and is surrounded by retention wall  208 . The bottom of recess  216  may be a circularly-shaped flat surface as shown in  FIG. 5 . In this embodiment, the bottom of recess  216  includes both the stationary annular portion that extends from the outer edge of the bottom that meets circularly-shaped driver  204 . In this arrangement, the stationary annular portion of the bottom of recess  216  and the surface of driver  204  define a substantially co-planar surface on which mixing chamber  106  can be placed. 
         [0037]    As further shown in  FIG. 5 , activation switch  202  can be positioned near the outer edge the bottom of recess  216 . Activation switch  202  can be any suitable toggle switch that is coupled to the motor and other electrical circuitry inside of base  102  such that when mixing chamber  106  is inserted into recess  216  and a force is applied in a downward direction, driver  204  spins and in turn, the contents of mixing chamber  106  are mixed. 
         [0038]    Mixing device  100  may also include collar  104 . Collar  104 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , in an element configured to be received in recess  216  of base  102 . In instances where the outer diameter of mixing chamber  106  is significantly smaller than the inner diameter of recess  216 , collar  104  can be used to occupy the space that otherwise would exist. Collar  104  maintains mixing chamber  106  in a substantially centralized position in recess  216  so that driver  204  and mixing element  110  are aligned. In instances where mixing chamber  106  is larger and the outer diameter of mixing chamber  106  is only slightly smaller than the inner diameter of recess  216  there is no need for collar  104 . As can be seen in the example in  FIG. 2 , collar  104  may include border  218  that defines pocket  220 . In this example, collar  104  is a cylindrically-shaped element and border  218  is an upstanding wall configured to receive a complimentary sized mixing chamber  106 . Collar  104  can be made of any suitable material such as a metal, plastic, composite or the like. 
         [0039]      FIGS. 3 and 6  show one embodiment of mixing chamber  106 . Mixing chamber  106  may also include cap  108  and mixing element  110 . Mixing chamber  106  can be any suitable enclosure that can be used to hold the mixture of components that are to be mixed, such as nail polish and additives. As shown, mixing chamber  106  is cylindrically shaped with a threaded top on which cap  108  can be secured. 
         [0040]    Mixing chamber  106  may also include mixing element  110 . In one embodiment, mixing element  110  fits inside enclosure  206  of mixing chamber  106 . In this embodiment, mixing element  110  includes footing  210 , paddle  212  and mixing magnet  214 . Footing  210  may be a disc-shaped horizontal element that is the base platform of mixing element  110  from which vertical paddle  112  is secured. As can be appreciated, as footing  210  spins around its center, paddle  112  mixes the mixture with any additives that may be present in enclosure  306 . In order to maintain mixing element  110  in a central position in enclosure  306 , the peripheral surface  302  of footing  210  has a smaller outer diameter than that of enclosure  306  defined by inner surface  304 . In this embodiment, mixing chamber  106  has a consistent outer diameter such that mixing element  110  can be easily inserted and removed from mixing chamber  106  as shown in the exploded view in  FIG. 6 . Other profiles of mixing chamber  106  can also be used. 
         [0041]    A second embodiment of mixing chamber  106  is shown in  FIG. 4 . As shown, mixing chamber  106  is nail polish container  400 . In this embodiment, mixing element  406  is similar to the mixing element previously described such that is can be interchangeable with different style mixing chambers. Nail polish container  400  includes lid  402  with brush  404  connected thereto. Nail polish container  400  is configured so as to be inserted into base  102  for the mixing of custom nail polishes. The included lid  402  and brush  404  permits the user to mix a custom nail polish and then easily apply the custom polish without the need to transfer the polish between containers. 
         [0042]    As described above, the mixing element  110  of mixing chamber  106  may also include mixing magnet  214 . In one embodiment, mixing element  110  includes two mixing magnets  214  positioned diametrically across from each other under paddle  212 . In this embodiment mixing magnets  214  are disc-shaped magnets attached through footing  210  such that they extend through footing  210  as shown in  FIG. 6 . Other configurations of mixing element  110  may also be used that use different shapes for mixing magnet  214  and different quantities of mixing magnets  214 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , mixing magnet may be a single bar magnet that extends across footing  910 . As shown in  FIG. 8  and in  FIG. 10 , mixing element  110  may include three or four mixing magnets respectively. 
         [0043]    Mixing element  110  may also include different profiles and shapes of paddle  212 . Paddle  212  may include a single double-fin shaped profile as shown in  FIG. 6  or may include other profiles.  FIGS. 7-17  show various profiles and arrangements of paddle  112 . The different profiles of paddle  112  and of footing  210  and of mixing magnets  214  provide different advantages such as mixing efficiency, ease of manufacture, compatibility with different mixing chambers, stability, and compatibility with different mixtures of various viscosities. 
         [0044]    As discussed above, driver  204  includes a driving magnet  206  and mixing element  110  includes a mixing magnet  214 . The driving magnet  206  and the mixing magnet  214  are matched with each other such that when the mixing chamber  106  with mixing element  110  contained inside is place in base  102 , the matched driving magnet  206  of driver  204  in base  102  couples with the mixing magnet  214 . In this manner, when driver  204  spins, the magnetic coupling of the magnets induces mixing element  110  to spin inside of mixing chamber  106 . Other configurations of mixing magnet  214  and driving magnet  206  can be used so long as the arrangement causes mixing element  110  to spin inside of mixing chamber  106  to mix the mixture and additives. 
         [0045]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , when mixing chamber  106  is inserted into base  102 , at least a portion of floor  308  of mixing chamber  106  sits on top of driver  204 . In addition, mixing element  110  sits on top of floor  308  inside of enclosure  306 . In order to permit the movement of both driver  204  and mixing element  110  relative to mixing chamber  106 , these two component, in one embodiment, are made of a low-friction material. This permits these component to spin in their respective locations relative to mixing chamber  106 . In one example, driver  204  and mixing element  110  are made of nylon material. Other materials with low-friction properties can also be used. 
         [0046]    As discussed above, base  102  may include a motor, power source and other elements that spin driver  204 . In other embodiments, base  102  may include gearing and mechanical coupling to driver  204  whereby a hand crank or other manual movements of a user can be used to spin driver  204  and in turn, spin mixing element  110 . 
         [0047]    In still other embodiments, base  102  may include a programmable logic controller (PLC) or hardware or software that can be used to control the speed, direction and time that driver  204  is induced to spin. Various spin profiles can be created and stored for use in different situation and for use with different liquids, cosmetics and materials. In one example, the PLC is programmed to spin automatically spin at a certain rate for a specified length of time and then to reverse and spin at the certain rate for a second specified length of time. The PLC then stops movement of driver  204  until the spin profile is started again. In other examples, an external control mechanism such as a cell phone or other device can be used to interact, store and program the PLC for further customization of the spin profiles. 
         [0048]    Mixing device  100  can be used to mix a variety of different materials. One example use, as briefly discussed earlier, is in connection with a custom nail polish. A base nail polish can be mixed with different color elements, with textures, and with other additives, such as glitter, to obtain custom nail polish. The mixing device can also be used to mix paints and other cosmetic products such as, but not limited to, lotions, perfumes, lip gloss, creams and the like. 
         [0049]    Various methods of mixing cosmetics are contemplated in the present disclosure. In one example method, a mixing element  110  is inserted into mixing chamber  106 . A user could then deposit a certain quantity of a base nail polish into mixing chamber  106 . A color component could then be added to the base nail polish. In addition, glitter or some other textured component could also be added. Mixing chamber  106  with the base nail polish and additives can then be inserted into recess  216  of base  102 . When a force is applied to mixing chamber  106 , activation switch  202  is depressed that. in turn, activates driver  204  to spin with a spin profile according to a user&#39;s choosing. The magnetic coupling between driver  204  and mixing element  110  induces mixing element  110  to also spin according to the spin profile. When the mixing is complete, driver  204  automatically stops or a user would cease applying a force to mixing chamber  106  to deactivate activation switch  202 . The mixing chamber  106  could then be removed from base  102  and the mixed nail polish would be ready for use. 
         [0050]    Other methods could also be employed to use mixing device  100 . Other example methods could include a variation of the steps described above or involve performing the steps above in a different order. 
         [0051]    While the particular preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the teaching of the disclosure. The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as limitation. The actual scope of the disclosure is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the related art.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1