Abstract:
Decorative wiper having a first end and a second end. The first end, which is adapted to be placed at the opening or upper end of a cosmetic bottle, has an opening with a decorative design. The second end, which is adapted to sit farther within the cosmetic bottle, has a narrowed opening in a manner typical of cosmetic wipers to a generally circular profile. Between the first end and the second end is a lumen or passage through which the cosmetic applicator may pass. The second end serves to wipe away excess product, in a manner similar to conventional wipers. The first end provides an aesthetically pleasing, or brand-defining useful, design. Between the two ends the interior walls of the wiper define the lumen or passage by tapering outward from the first end wiper to the second end. Combinations of such wipers with cosmetic bottles, caps, applicators and products are disclosed as well.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present patent application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/191,181, filed Jul. 10, 2015, titled DECORATIVE WIPERS FOR COSMETIC CONTAINERS, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The present application relates to the field cosmetic containers, more particularly to the design of wipers for such containers. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Cosmetic containers generally include a wiper near the top which is used to wipe away excess cosmetic product on an applicator (such as a brush) which is inserted into the bottle to obtain the product. New and alternative approaches to such devices are desired. 
       OVERVIEW 
       [0004]    A first illustrative example includes a wiper for cosmetic products comprising a first end adapted to be placed at an opening or upper end of a cosmetic bottle and comprising a decorative design defining a first opening therethrough, the decorative design having a non-circular shape, a second end adapted to sit farther within the cosmetic bottle, the second end defining a second opening narrower than first opening in at least one dimension, a passage between the first opening and the second opening having walls which define a taper therebetween. 
         [0005]    In another example, the second opening is circular and is sized and configured to wipe away excess product from an applicator passed therethrough. 
         [0006]    In further examples, the decorative design is a heart, a star, a teddy bear, a snowman, a leaf, a flower, a brand insignia, or a geometric design. 
         [0007]    Another illustrative example includes a cosmetic bottle for containing cosmetic product having inserted or built therein a wiper as in the above examples. 
         [0008]    Another example includes a combination product of a cosmetic bottle for containing a cosmetic product having inserted or built therein a wiper as in the above examples and a combination cap and applicator for use therewith and inserted therein, wherein a shape of the second opening does not match a shape of the applicator. 
         [0009]    A further example the combination product further comprises a cosmetic product contained in the cosmetic bottle. 
         [0010]    Another illustrative example includes a method comprising using the combination product by loosening the combination cap and applicator from the bottle, and withdrawing an applicator through the wiper to remove excess product therefrom. 
         [0011]    Another illustrative example includes a cosmetic applicator comprising a container for holding a cosmetic product, a wiper configured to be disposed within an opening of the container, and an applicator configured to be inserted through the wiper and into the container, wherein the wiper has a first end with a first opening adapted to be placed at the opening of the container, a second end with a second opening adapted to sit farther within the container, and a passage between the first and second openings having walls which define a taper therebetween, wherein the first opening is defined by a decorative design having a non-circular shape, wherein the second opening is narrower than the first opening in at least one dimension. 
         [0012]    In a further example, the second opening has a shape that does not match a shape of the applicator. 
         [0013]    In another example, the first opening has a shape that does not match the shape of the applicator. 
         [0014]    In another example, the second opening is circular. 
         [0015]    In a further illustrative example, a cosmetic applicator comprises a container for holding a cosmetic product, a wiper configured to be disposed within an opening of the container, the wiper having a first opening, a second opening, and a passage extending therebetween, the passage having a wall that tapers from the first opening to the second opening which is smaller than the first opening in at least one dimension, the first opening disposed adjacent the opening of the container, the second opening disposed farther into the container, the first opening defining a decorative design having a non-circular shape, and an applicator configured to be inserted through the wiper and into the container, wherein the second opening has a shape that does not match a shape of the applicator. 
         [0016]    In a further example, the non-circular shape of the first opening does not match the shape of the applicator. 
         [0017]    In another example, the second opening is narrowed in a manner typical of cosmetic wipers to a generally circular profile. Between the first end and the second end is a lumen or passage through which the cosmetic applicator may pass. The second end serves to wipe away excess product, in a manner similar to conventional wipers. The first end provides an aesthetically pleasing, or brand-defining useful, design. Between the two ends the interior walls of the wiper define the lumen or passage by tapering outward from the first end wiper to the second end. 
         [0018]    An additional example includes a cosmetic bottle for containing cosmetic product having inserted or built therein a wiper as in the first illustrative example. Yet a further example also includes an applicator. 
         [0019]    Still a further example includes a bottle having a wiper as in the first example, as well as one or more of a cap and an applicator, where the bottle also contains cosmetic product such as mascara, lip gloss or other product that may be provided in a container having a wiper. 
         [0020]    This overview is intended to provide an overview of subject matter of the present patent application. It is not intended to provide an exclusive or exhaustive explanation of the invention. The detailed description is included to provide further information about the present patent application. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]    In the drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, like numerals may describe similar components in different views. Like numerals having different letter suffixes may represent different instances of similar components. The drawings illustrate generally, by way of example, but not by way of limitation, various embodiments discussed in the present document. 
           [0022]      FIGS. 1-6  are top views showing illustrative decorative wipers, with the decorative designs shown; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a cross section illustrating a taper between a first end of a wiper having a decorative design and a second end serving to wipe excess product from an applicator; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a bottle having a decorative wiper therein; 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is a section view of the bottle with wiper combination of  FIG. 8 ; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  shows a cosmetic applicator product having a bottle, cap and applicator. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]      FIGS. 1-6  are top views showing illustrative decorative wipers, with the decorative designs shown.  FIG. 1  shows a heart design. The wiper  10  has a circular lower opening  12 , and a decorative, “heart shaped” upper opening  16 , surrounded by a face  20 . Between these is a tapered wall section at  18 . The lower opening  12  performs the function of removing excess product from an applicator passed therethrough, while the upper opening  16  provides an aesthetically pleasing design. The lower opening  12  is narrower than the upper opening  16  in at least one dimension. The shape of the lower opening  12  does not match the shape of the applicator. 
         [0028]    In this example, and several that follow, the upper face  20  has a circular shape. The illustrative decorative design, on the other hand, is non-circular and/or does not match, either in proportion or general shape, the shape of the lower opening or the shape of the applicator. In some examples, a non-round shape may be used, or a larger-than-necessary overlap may be provided for the upper face. This can facilitate further design surrounding the upper opening  16 . For example, a lion face could be shown, with the upper opening serving as the mouth, with surrounding features decoratively shown such as the eyes, nose and chin. Thus the upper opening itself may have a decorative and/or fanciful shape, which may be integrated into a larger design. 
         [0029]      FIG. 2  shows another example. This time the wiper  30  includes the lower opening at  32 , tapered wall at  34 , and decorative upper opening at  36 . Here the wall  34  tapers selectively in some areas to form the star pattern, but not on all sides. 
         [0030]      FIG. 3  shows another example. This time the wiper  40  includes the lower opening at  42 , tapered wall at  44 , and decorative upper opening at  46 , to yield a geometric design resembling a rounded square. 
         [0031]      FIG. 4  shows another example. This time the wiper  50  includes the lower opening at  52 , tapered wall at  54 , and decorative upper opening at  56 , to yield a geometric design resembling a teddy bear. 
         [0032]      FIG. 5  shows another example. This time the wiper  60  includes the lower opening at  62 , tapered wall at  64 , and decorative upper opening at  66 , to yield a geometric design resembling a snowman. 
         [0033]      FIG. 6  shows another example. This time the wiper  70  includes the lower opening at  72 , tapered wall at  74 , and decorative upper opening at  76 , to yield a geometric design resembling a leaf or flower. 
         [0034]    Other decorative designs may include a brand insignia. One is the Lucky™ brand insignia, of a four leaf clover. Other insignias may be used instead. 
         [0035]      FIG. 7  is a cross section illustrating a taper between a first end of a wiper having a decorative design and a second end serving to wipe excess product from an applicator. The wiper  80  includes an upper lip  82  for securing its position in the opening of a bottle. The lower opening  84  is shown and a tapered lumen is created by wall  86  which expands out to upper opening  88 . The lower opening  84  may be circular, oval, square, or other simple shape, but is a different shape from the upper opening  88 . The lower opening  84  is smaller in at least one dimension than the upper opening  88 . The smaller lower opening  84  serves to wipe excess product off the applicator as the applicator is withdrawn through the wiper  80 . The shapes of the lower opening  84  and the upper opening  88  do not match, either in proportion or overall shape, the shape of the applicator. The upper opening  88  has a non-circular shape that defines a decorative design. While the taper shown in  FIG. 7  is symmetric, it will be understood that different section views would show asymmetry either each on its own or relative to other section views of a single wiper, as the wall  86  tapers outward. The wall  86  tapers outward from the smaller lower opening  84  to the larger upper opening  88 . The wall  86  may taper in a non-uniform manner to achieve the transition between the smaller simple shape of the lower opening  84  to the larger shape of the upper opening  88 . The larger shape of the upper opening  88  may be more complex than the smaller shape of the lower opening  84 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the wall  54  may taper in a non-uniform manner to achieve the transition between the small circular lower opening  52  and the large, complex teddy bear shaped upper opening  56 . The difference in shapes and sizes of the upper and lower openings allows for a large, decorative and possibly complex upper opening  88  where the shape is readily seen by the user while providing a functional, smaller, simple lower opening  84  that serves to remove excess product from the applicator. The wall  86  taper provides a smooth transition between the upper opening  88  and the lower opening  84 , allowing for excess product to be returned to the container. The tapered wall  86  also serves as a guide for inserting the applicator into the smaller lower opening  84 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a bottle having a decorative wiper therein. The bottle assembly  100  is shown with the bottle including a container portion  102  for containing cosmetic product such as mascara or lip gloss, or other products. At the top of the bottle assembly  100  is the neck at  104  which is shown with threading to facilitate securing a cap thereon. The wiper  106  is inserted in the neck opening at  108 . The wiper  106  is generally secured in place by interference fit, but could also be adhered, snap fitted, or twisted into place. The wiper  106  has a rounded square design at the upper opening  46 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0037]    In some examples a wiper  106  may be sold as a stand-alone product. In other examples, the wiper  106  may be sold as part of the assembled bottle  100 . In still further examples, the assembled bottle  100  with wiper  106  would be sold along with an associated cap or applicator/cap combination. In some examples, the assembled bottle  100  with wiper  106  with associated cap or applicator/cap combination would be sold filled with a cosmetic product. 
         [0038]      FIG. 9  is a section view of the bottle with wiper combination of  FIG. 8 . The bottle assembly  100  includes the container portion  102  having therein a reservoir  112  to contain product and receive an applicator. At the top of the bottle assembly  100  is a neck at  104  having the threads for securing a cap or cap and applicator thereon. The wiper  106  is placed in the neck opening at  108 , with a passage  110  therethrough. 
         [0039]      FIG. 10  shows a cosmetic applicator product having a bottle, cap and applicator. The bottle assembly  200  may be as shown above, for example, in  FIGS. 8-9 , and includes therein a reservoir  202 . The cap/applicator combination includes the cap  210  along with a shaft  212  that extends to an applicator  214 , which may be a sponge, brush or any other applicator suited to applying cosmetics. The cap  210  may exclude the shaft  212  and applicator  214  in some examples, where the applicator is to be provided separately. 
         [0040]    In a method, a user would remove the cap  210  to pull the attached shaft  212  and applicator  214  through the wiper (shown above in various figures), such that the wiper removes excess product from the applicator  214 . 
         [0041]    Each of these non-limiting examples can stand on its own, or can be combined in various permutations or combinations with one or more of the other examples. 
         [0042]    The above detailed description includes references to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the detailed description. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. These embodiments are also referred to herein as “examples.” Such examples can include elements in addition to those shown or described. However, the present inventors also contemplate examples in which only those elements shown or described are provided. Moreover, the present inventors also contemplate examples using any combination or permutation of those elements shown or described (or one or more aspects thereof), either with respect to a particular example (or one or more aspects thereof), or with respect to other examples (or one or more aspects thereof) shown or described herein. 
         [0043]    In the event of inconsistent usages between this document and any documents so incorporated by reference, the usage in this document controls. 
         [0044]    In this document, the terms “a” or “an” are used, as is common in patent documents, to include one or more than one, independent of any other instances or usages of “at least one” or “one or more.” Moreover, in the following claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. 
         [0045]    The above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described examples (or one or more aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. Other embodiments can be used, such as by one of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. 
         [0046]    The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b), to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 
         [0047]    Also, in the above Detailed Description, various features may be grouped together to streamline the disclosure. This should not be interpreted as intending that an unclaimed disclosed feature is essential to any claim. Rather, inventive subject matter may lie in less than all features of a particular disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description as examples or embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment, and it is contemplated that such embodiments can be combined with each other in various combinations or permutations. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.