Patent Document

BACKGROUND 
     Makeup applicators are used for applying applique. Such applique may have various consistencies, viscosity, and/or other attributes. Users may want to apply the applique with an applicator that is loaded with a desired amount and consistency of applique. Current solutions may provide an applicator that does not allow for removal of excess applique. 
     Many types of makeup, for instance mascara, may require a particular consistency of applique on an applicator. Many current applicators may provide a consistency of applique that is thicker than desired, resulting in “clumping” that causes unsightly results after applying the applique material. 
     Thus there is a need for an applicator and associated vessel that is able to conveniently and automatically remove excess applique without requiring any additional user effort or external tools. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     Some embodiments provide an applique vessel that includes various excess applique removal elements (or manipulators). Such elements may be arranged in various different configurations, as appropriate. Different embodiments provide differently shaped application elements. Such elements may be shaped in various different ways, as appropriate. Some embodiments may provide a flexible (or squeezable) vessel such that a user may actively manipulate the amount of applique retained by an application element. Some embodiments may include a vessel with a compression fit top including an application element. 
     In one exemplary embodiment, an applique vessel for storing applique is provided. The vessel includes: an interior surface; and an applique removal feature positioned along a portion of the interior surface. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, an applique vessel for storing applique is provided. The vessel includes: a body adapted to store applique; and a top comprising an application element, where the body and the top adapted to form a vessel if coupled, and the top is adapted to couple to the body via a compression fit. 
     In yet another exemplary embodiment, an applique system adapted to store and apply applique is provided. The system includes: a flexible body adapted to store applique; a top including an application element; and an applique removal feature positioned along a portion of the flexible body. 
     In still another exemplary embodiment, an application element adapted to apply applique to a user is provided. The application element includes: a frame having a particular shape; and a set of protuberances extending from the frame. 
     The preceding Summary is intended to serve as a brief introduction to some embodiments of the invention. It is not meant to be an introduction or overview of all inventive subject matter disclosed in this document. The Detailed Description that follows and the Drawings (or “Figures” or “FIGS.”) that are referred to in the Detailed Description will further describe the embodiments described in the Summary as well as other embodiments. Accordingly, to understand all the embodiments described by this document, a full review of the Summary, Detailed Description and the Drawings is needed. Moreover, the claimed subject matter is not to be limited by the illustrative details in the Summary, Detailed Description and the Drawings, but rather is to be defined by the appended claims, because the claimed subject matter may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The novel features of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. However, for purpose of explanation, several embodiments of the invention are set forth in the following drawings. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates side and top views of an applicator and associated vessel; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a sectional side and top view of a vessel according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates various excess applique removal features provided by some embodiments of the vessel of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates side and top views of a conceptual system including an applicator and associated vessel according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates side and top views of various applicator and vessel shapes according to exemplary embodiments of the invention; and 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a flow chart of a conceptual process used by some embodiments to allow placement of an optimal level of applique on an applicator. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following detailed description of the invention, numerous details, examples, and embodiments of the invention are set forth and described. However, it will be clear and apparent to one skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the embodiments set forth and that the invention may be practiced without some of the specific details and examples discussed. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates side and top views of an applicator  120  and associated vessel  130 . Specifically, this figure shows an example arrangement that may be used by some embodiments to facilitate removal of excess applique. As shown, the applicator  120  may include a wand  150  extending from a handle coupled to an application element  160 . The wand  150  may have a first diameter and the applicator  160  may have a second diameter. The first diameter may be less than the second diameter, as appropriate. The vessel  130  may include a reservoir portion  140  (e.g., a volume that allows storage of mascara). 
     During operation, such an applicator  120  and vessel  130  may allow a user to insert a portion of the applicator element  160  and wand  150  into the reservoir portion  140  of the vessel  130 . The user may then withdraw the applicator element  160  and wand  150  such that the applicator element  160  has retained some amount of material stored in the reservoir  140 . The retained material may then be applied to a user as appropriate (e.g., by brushing mascara onto eyelashes of the user). 
     One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the system of  FIG. 1  may be implemented in various different ways without departing from the spirit of the invention. For instance, different embodiments may include different vessels of differing size, shape, dimension (e.g., height, width, depth, radius, etc.), etc. As another example, various elements of the system  100  may be provided in various different combinations (e.g., some embodiments may include a modified applicator element  160 , other embodiments may provide a differently shaped vessel  130 , etc.). 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a sectional side  200  and top view  210  of a vessel  220  according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Specifically, this figure shows the potential positioning of various applique manipulators  230 - 240  provided by some embodiments. As shown, the vessel  220  of some embodiments may include a first manipulator  230  (e.g., positioned along the body of the vessel  220 ) and/or a second manipulator  240  (e.g., positioned along the neck of the vessel  220 ). Each of the manipulators may have an associated length  250  and width (or depth). The width or depth of each manipulator may include a structural section  260  and a manipulation section  270 . 
     The structural section  260  may include various structural backings and/or adhesives that may allow the structural section to be attached to the vessel  220  in a secure fashion. The manipulation section  270  may include various elements and/or features that may be adapted to remove excess applique from the applicator of some embodiments. 
     In addition, as shown in the top view  210 , the vessel  220  may include a reservoir area  280  for storing applique material and a manipulator area  290  that extends radially from the sides of the vessel  220  in some embodiments. 
     One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that although the applicator vessel  220  has been described with reference to various details, different embodiments may implement the vessel in various different ways without departing from the spirit of the invention. For instance, different embodiments may include different elements of different dimension within the structural section  260  of some embodiments (e.g., adhesive layers of differing widths, support layers such as lattice structures (not shown), etc.). Such elements may be made of various appropriate materials (e.g., metal, plastic, bristle, etc.). In addition, some embodiment may divide a manipulator into multiple sections, where each section may include a different manipulator configuration. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates various excess applique removal features provided by some embodiments of the vessel of  FIG. 1 . Specifically, the figure shows top  305 , side  310 , and front  315  views of the various removal features of some embodiments. As shown, the various features  320 - 0345  may include various shapes, sizes, lengths, orientations, etc. of elements. Different embodiments may be arranged in various different ways, as appropriate. 
     The examples of  FIG. 3  are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not meant to be limiting in any way. The first example configuration  320  may include a set of protuberances that are evenly spaced radially about the vessel (as shown in view  305 ). Each protuberance may extend perpendicularly from the vessel wall (as shown in view  310 ). In addition, each protuberance may be viewed as a point extending out from the vessel wall (as shown in view  315 ). 
     The second example configuration  325  may include a set of protuberances that are evenly spaced radially about the vessel (as shown in view  305 ). Each protuberance may extend at an acute angle from the vessel wall (as shown in view  310 ). In addition, each protuberance may be viewed as an ellipse extending out from the vessel wall (as shown in view  315 ). 
     The third example configuration  330  may include a set of protuberances that are evenly spaced radially about the vessel (as shown in view  305 ). Each protuberance may extend from the vessel wall (e.g., perpendicular to the wall, at an angle from the wall, etc.) and may include a “hook” tip, as is typical of a hook and loop type fastener, (as shown in view  310 ). In addition, each protuberance may be viewed as an elongated ellipse extending out from the vessel wall (as shown in view  315 ). 
     The fourth example configuration  335  may include a set of protuberances that are evenly spaced radially about the vessel (as shown in view  305 ) to form a valve. Each protuberance may extend at an acute angle from the vessel wall and may include a generally flat surface (as shown in view  310 ). In addition, each protuberance may be viewed as a rectangle extending out from the vessel wall (as shown in view  315 ). 
     The fifth example configuration  340  may include a set of generally round shaped protuberances that are evenly spaced radially about the vessel (as shown in view  305 ) to form a valve. Each protuberance may extend from the vessel wall (e.g., perpendicular to the wall, at an angle from the wall, etc.) and may include a generally flat surface (as shown in view  310 ). In addition, each protuberance may be viewed as a rectangle extending out from the vessel wall (as shown in view  315 ). In such a valve each element may overlap one or more other elements, such that a central passageway is bordered by each valve element. 
     The sixth example configuration  345  may include a set of generally round shaped protuberances that are evenly spaced radially about the vessel (as shown in view  305 ) to form a valve. Each protuberance may extend perpendicularly from the vessel wall and may include a generally flat surface (as shown in view  310 ). In addition, each protuberance may be viewed as a rectangle extending out from the vessel wall (as shown in view  315 ). In such a valve each element may be implemented in a layer that may overlap another layer formed by other valve elements, such that a central passageway is bordered by the layers of valve elements. 
     Different embodiments may optimize the various types, dimensions, materials, etc. of the structures described in reference to  FIG. 3  based on various appropriate factors (e.g., type of material to be applied, applicator characteristics, etc.). For instance, the number of protuberances, the thickness of each protuberance (and/or rigidity and/or other appropriate physical characteristic of materials used), shape of each protuberance along a first set of dimensions (e.g., elliptical, wedge or triangle shaped, flat layers of uniform thickness, angled layer, etc.), shape of each protuberance along a second set of dimensions (e.g., elliptical, linear, polygonal, etc.), angle of extension of protuberances (e.g., perpendicular to the vessel wall, at an angle to the wall, etc.) may vary among different embodiments. In addition, some embodiments may include different combinations of structures (e.g., alternating sections of a first configuration such as a set of bristles and a second configuration such as a set of valves). 
       FIG. 4  illustrates side and top views of a conceptual system  400  including an applicator  420  and associated vessel  430  according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Specifically, this figure shows an example of a compression fit vessel and applicator. As shown, the vessel  430  may include an opening  450  that may be adapted to fit a particular size and shape of wand (e.g., a wand having shape  460 ) and applicator element (e.g., having a shape as shown with respect to opening  450 ). 
     Some embodiments may thus allow use of an applicator wand  420  and vessel  430  that are able to be connected using a compression fit that does not require, for example, securing the wand to the vessel by continuously rotating the wand relative to the vessel (i.e., “screwing” the wand into the vessel). 
     Some embodiments may provide a vessel (e.g., vessel  130 , vessel  430 , etc.) having a flexible body such that a user may squeeze the sides of the vessel during use. In this way, some embodiments may allow a user to control the amount of applique retained by an application element when the element is inserted into and removed from the vessel. Such a vessel may include various combinations of excess applique removal features, as appropriate. Thus, with a given set of applique removal features, a user may be able to achieve various levels applique applied to the application element by varying the amount of pressure applied to the sides of the vessel while removing the application element from the vessel. 
     One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that compression fit embodiments such as system  400  may be implemented in various different ways without departing from the spirit of the invention. For instance, different specific shapes and/or sizes of opening, wand, applicator, vessel, etc. may be used, as appropriate. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates side  500  and top  510  views of various applicator and vessel shapes according to exemplary embodiments of the invention. Specifically, this figure shows various applicator shapes that may allow optimized placement of applicated materials and/or use of such materials. In addition, this figure shows various vessel shapes that may be associated with the described applicator shapes in some embodiments. 
     As shown, an applicator  520  may include various wand types, shapes, etc. (not shown), and or various applicator elements  530  (e.g., elements  540 - 570 ). Each specific applicator may be associated with a vessel that has an opening  580  that may be associated with the applicator. In addition, vessels used with some embodiments of system  500  may include various elements described above in reference to  FIG. 1-5  above (e.g., one or more manipulators, materials, etc.). 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , different embodiments may include differently shaped application elements  530 . For instance, some embodiments may provide an oval shaped application element  540 , a differently-shaped oval element  550 , a “D”-shaped element  560 , a teardrop shaped element  570 , etc., as appropriate. Such shapes may allow optimum placement of applique. The shape, size, dimension, etc. of the application elements may be based at least partly on the material being applied. In some embodiments, various surfaces of each application element  530  may be sized and/or shaped to match various contours of a human face (e.g., eye radius, width, height, etc.), various characteristics of an associated applique (e.g., viscosity, color, etc.), etc. Alternatively, some embodiments may include a traditional application element (not shown), for example forming an arc with a set of radially protruding bristles. 
     Each application element may include a frame and a set of protuberances. The frame may typically include a section of rigid wire (and/or other appropriate element) and each protuberance may be, for example, a bristle. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a flow chart of a conceptual process  600  used by some embodiments to allow placement of an optimal level of applique on an applicator. The process may begin, for instance, when an applicator and/or vessel of some embodiments is made available to a user. As shown, the process may provide (at  610 ) an optimizing surface. Such a surface may be similar to those described in reference to  FIGS. 2-3 . 
     Next, process  600  may allow (at  620 ) a loaded applicator to contact the optimizing surface. Such an applicator may include an element similar to applicator element  160  described above in reference to  FIG. 1  above. Process  600  may then allow (at  630 ) removal of excess applique (e.g., by allowing the applicator element  160  to be dragged across a manipulator of some embodiments to facilitate distribution of remaining applique in a uniform fashion across an applicator if the loaded applicator is actuated along the optimizing surface). 
     For example, a user may remove an applicator (e.g., applicator  120 ) from a vessel (e.g., vessel  220 ), such that various bristles of an application element (e.g., element  160 ) of the applicator engage a manipulator of some embodiments (e.g., manipulator  230  or  240 ) in order to remove excess applique from the applicator. Contact of the application element to the manipulator(s) may be at least partly determined, in some embodiments, by pressure applied to the exterior of a vessel (e.g., a user may squeeze the sides of the vessel). 
     One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that process  600  may be implemented in various appropriate ways without departing from the spirit of the invention. For instance, a user may engage an application element and manipulator in various appropriate ways. As another example, the various operations of process  600  may be implemented in various different orders (and/or various other operations may be added and/or various operations may be removed). As another example, different embodiments may combine various distinct operations into a single operation, divide various single operations into multiple operations, and/or otherwise manipulate the operations performed. Likewise, various single operations may be divided into multiple sub-operations. As another example, the process may be performed as a sub-process of a larger macro process and/or divided into multiple sub-processes, as appropriate. 
     While the invention has been described with reference to numerous specific details, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, several embodiments were described above by reference to particular features and/or components. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will realize that other embodiments might be implemented with other types of features and components. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the invention is not to be limited by the foregoing illustrative details, but rather is to be defined by the appended claims.

Technology Category: 1