U.S. patent application number 13/972893 was filed with the patent office on 2014-01-16 for lip balm with spherical surface and method for producing.
This patent application is currently assigned to THE KIND GROUP LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Jonathan TELLER. Invention is credited to Jonathan TELLER.
Application Number | 20140013712 13/972893 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44082180 |
Filed Date | 2014-01-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140013712 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
TELLER; Jonathan |
January 16, 2014 |
LIP BALM WITH SPHERICAL SURFACE AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING
Abstract
A lip balm applicator product comprises upper and lower portions
that are connectable together to define the applicator product
being of a substantially spherical shape. A support platform is
located in the lower portion and accommodates a quantity of lip
balm having an arcuate surface. A lip balm comprises a composition
of waxes and oils in solid form and formed to have an arcuate
surface. The composition is formed to have the arcuate surface
using a hot pour process. A method of manufacturing a lip balm
comprises providing a receptacle having a concave arcuate surface.
A lip balm material in a heated, liquefied phase is poured into the
receptacle. Once poured, the heated, liquefied phase is allowed to
solidify such that a surface of the solidified lip balm material
has an arcuate configuration that corresponds to the concave
arcuate surface of the receptacle.
Inventors: |
TELLER; Jonathan; (New York,
NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
TELLER; Jonathan |
New York |
NY |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
THE KIND GROUP LLC
New York
NY
|
Family ID: |
44082180 |
Appl. No.: |
13/972893 |
Filed: |
August 21, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13891268 |
May 10, 2013 |
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13972893 |
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12632114 |
Dec 7, 2009 |
8444337 |
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13891268 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
53/452 ;
53/473 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 40/26 20130101;
A45D 40/12 20130101; B29C 39/026 20130101; A61Q 19/001 20130101;
A45D 2040/0012 20130101; A61K 8/9794 20170801; A45D 40/00 20130101;
A61K 8/31 20130101; A45D 40/0068 20130101; A61K 8/925 20130101;
A61K 2800/87 20130101; A45D 40/16 20130101; B65B 5/103 20130101;
A61K 8/9789 20170801; A61K 8/927 20130101; A61K 8/922 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
53/452 ;
53/473 |
International
Class: |
B65B 5/10 20060101
B65B005/10 |
Claims
1. A method of making a lip applicator product, comprising a lip
product enclosed within a final consumer packaging comprising:
introducing the lip product into a substantially concave portion of
the final consumer packaging that is in a substantially inverted
position.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the substantially concave portion
is at least part of an upper portion of the final consumer
packaging.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the substantially concave portion
is substantially the interior of the upper portion of the final
consumer packaging.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the final consumer packaging
further comprises a lower portion.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the final consumer packaging
further comprises a lip product platform.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the final consumer packaging
further comprises a lip product support.
7. The method of claim 4, wherein the lower portion further
comprises a lip product support.
8. The method of claim 4, wherein the lower portion is detachably
connectable to the upper portion.
9. The method of claim 5, wherein the lower portion is detachably
connectable to the lip product support.
10. The method of claim 5, wherein the upper portion is detachably
connectable to the lip product support.
11. The method of claim 5, wherein the lip product support supports
the lip product spaced apart from a portion of an interior surface
of the lower portion.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein the lip product has a
multi-dimensional arcuate surface.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein the lip product has an arcuate
surface that corresponds with the substantially concave portion of
the final consumer packaging.
14. The method of claim 7, wherein the lip product has an arcuate
surface that corresponds with the substantially concave portion of
the final consumer packaging.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the lip product is affixed to
the product support and the lip product extends above the product
support away from the lower portion.
16. The method of claim 1, wherein the introduced lip product is in
a liquefied phase.
17. The method of claim 1, wherein the introduced lip product is
heated.
18. The method of claim 1, further comprising solidifying the lip
product.
19. The method of claim 1, further comprising assembling the final
consumer packaging to enclose the lip product.
20. The method of claim 7, further comprising assembling the final
consumer packaging to enclose the lip product.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein assembling the final consumer
packaging comprises attaching the lower portion, the upper portion
and the lip product support.
22. The method of claim 1, wherein the introducing the lip product
into the substantially concave portion of the final consumer
packaging further comprises passing at least a portion of the lip
product through at least a portion of the lip product support.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein the lip product support is
connected to the upper portion.
24. The method of claim 23, assembling the final consumer packaging
comprises attaching the lower portion, the upper portion and the
lip product support.
25. The method of claim 24, wherein the lip product comprises lip
balm.
26. The method of claim 15, wherein the lip product comprises lip
balm.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to lip balms and, more
particularly, a lip balm having a spherical surface and
manufactured using a hot pour process.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Skin on and around the lips can often become chapped or
otherwise damaged due to overexposure from elements such as sun
and/or wind, particularly during athletic activities in which a
person's face remains exposed to these elements for extended
periods of time. The same skin can also become chapped or damaged
while carrying out everyday non-athletic activities. For example,
working outside in extreme cold, dry heat, or sun can also cause
damage to the skin on the lips. Even working indoors or sleeping in
dry conditions can cause the lips to chap, thereby leading to the
development of cracks, which are often painful and can become
infected.
[0003] Lip balms are often applied to prevent chapped lips. When
applied prior to exposure to sun, wind, dry heat, or other extreme
conditions, the lip balm can provide suitable protection to the
skin on and around the lips. Even when applied after the skin on
the lips is chapped, the lip balm can prevent any further damage
from occurring. In either case, by providing a protective layer of
lip balm, the risk of an infection developing in the damaged skin
is minimized.
[0004] Lip balms are currently sold as emulsions, liquids, gels, or
solids. In emulsion or liquid form, the lip balms are generally
packed in containers such as jars. Gels (and liquids on occasion)
are typically dispensed from squeeze tubes. Solid lip balms are
generally packaged in stick form and dispensable from tubes or from
lipstick-type applicators.
[0005] Solid lip balms are commonly manufactured using either a hot
pour process or a bullet process. In the hot pour process, the lip
balm ingredients are combined and heated in a liquefied phase. The
liquid is then directly poured into the final consumer package,
where it is cooled and solidifies. In the bullet process, the lip
balm ingredients are also combined and heated in a liquefied phase.
However, in the bullet process, the liquefied balm is poured into
molds where it is cooled and solidified. The balm may then be cut
into the desired shape and inserted into the consumer package.
[0006] The choice of the method used for a particular product
depends on the design/functionality of the package, the additives
in the balm, and the desired characteristics of the lip balm
(color, feel, shape, and the like).
SUMMARY
[0007] In one aspect, the present invention resides in a lip balm
applicator product that is substantially spherical in shape. The
applicator product comprises upper and lower portions that are
connectable together to define the substantially spherical shape of
the applicator product. A support platform is located in the lower
portion and accommodates a quantity of lip balm having an arcuate
surface that can be exposed upon separation of the upper portion
from the lower portion.
[0008] In another aspect, the present invention resides in a lip
balm product comprising a composition of waxes and oils in solid
form and formed to have an arcuate surface. The wax and oil
composition can be eroded upon being drawn across a surface such as
a user's lips. The composition is formed to have the arcuate
surface using a hot pour process.
[0009] In another aspect, the present invention resides in a method
of manufacturing a lip balm. In such a method, a receptacle having
a concave arcuate surface is provided. A lip balm material in a
heated, liquefied phase is also provided and poured into the
receptacle. Once poured, the heated, liquefied phase is allowed to
solidify such that a surface of the solidified lip balm material
has an arcuate configuration that corresponds to the concave
arcuate surface of the receptacle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lip balm applicator, of
the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of the lip balm
applicator of FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a portion of a receptacle of
the lip balm applicator of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a hot pour process
of manufacturing a lip balm having an arcuate surface.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] As is shown in FIG. 1, a lip balm applicator product having
a lip balm composition is designated generally by the reference
number 10 and is hereinafter referred to as "applicator 10."
Applicator 10 comprises a receptacle 12 having the lip balm
composition located therein. The receptacle 12 is substantially
spherical in shape. The present invention is not limited in this
regard, as the receptacle 12 may be substantially cylindrical with
rounded surfaces, egg-shaped, ovate, or the like. The receptacle 12
comprises an upper portion 14 and a lower portion 16, the portions
being separable from each other along a line L that extends
substantially circumferentially about the receptacle perpendicular
to a major axis M extending longitudinally through the receptacle.
An interior surface 19 of the upper portion 14 of the receptacle 12
is defined by a concave surface having a spherical or arcuate
topography. Although various surfaces described herein are referred
to as being spherical, it should be understood that the term
"spherical" includes arcuate surfaces.
[0015] The upper portion 14 and the lower portion 16 are
connectable together via any suitable means such as the
interengagement of threads. The present invention is not limited in
this regard, as other mechanisms may be used to connect the upper
portion 14 and the lower portion 16 together (e.g., engaging
surfaces that fit together frictionally). The lip balm composition
is located in the lower portion 16 and is hereinafter referred to
as "lip balm 20."
[0016] The outer surface of the receptacle 12 includes a depression
18 formed partly on the upper portion 14 and partly on the lower
portion 16. The depression 18 is a divot formed in the receptacle
12 that accommodates the thumb of a user to facilitate the opening
and closing of the receptacle by alternatingly separating and
connecting the upper portion 14 and the lower portion 16.
[0017] Upon separation of the upper portion 14 from the lower
portion 16, the lip balm 20 is revealed. The lip balm 20 is mounted
in the lower portion 16 on a support platform and is defined by a
quantity of suitable lip balm material formed or otherwise
configured to have a spherical shape that includes a spherical
surface 22. The spherical shape and spherical surface 22 allows the
lip balm material to extend above the upper edge of the lower
portion 16, thereby facilitating the uninhibited application of the
lip balm to a user's lips. The present invention is not limited to
the lip balm 20 being configured to have a spherical shape and
spherical surface 22, however, as other configurations are within
the scope of the present invention.
[0018] Referring now to FIG. 2, the support platform on which the
lip balm 20 is mounted is designated generally by the reference
number 30. The support platform 30 is a wheel having an outer rim
32 and threads 17 located thereon. A plurality of prongs 50 is
located along a lower edge of the outer rim 32 (the edge opposite
the threads 17) to facilitate the connection of the support
platform 30 to connecting structure such as ridges 38 in the lower
portion 16. In the assembly of the receptacle 10, the prongs 50
allow the support platform 30 to be snapplingly received on lower
portion 16.
[0019] The support platform 30 includes a plurality of spokes 34
that extend from the outer rim 32 and that terminate at a hub 36.
Both the widths of the spokes 34 and the diameter of the hub 36 are
selected to provide a suitable area on which the lip balm 20 can be
supported. The spokes 34 extend from the hub 36 at equal angles and
connect with an inner surface of the outer rim 32. The present
invention is not limited to the use of spokes and hubs, as the area
bounded by the outer rim 32 can be solid. Although the outer rim 32
is described as being substantially circular, a portion along the
edge of the outer rim is flattened to allow for the accommodation
of the depression 18.
[0020] Referring now to FIG. 3, both the upper portion 14 and the
lower portion 16 of the receptacle 12 comprise a thermoplastic
elastomer (TPE) injection molded over a plastic form comprising
acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) copolymer. Accordingly, the
defining surfaces of both the upper portion 14 and the lower
portion 16 comprise a bottom layer 26 of ABS copolymer covered by a
top layer 28 of TPE. The present invention is not limited to the
bottom layer 26 being ABS copolymer, however, as the bottom layer
in one or both of the upper portion 14 and the lower portion 16 can
be polyethylene (PE). In such an alternate configuration, the
tactile sensation to the user is slightly different upon handling
the receptacle 12. In any configuration, the material of the top
layer 28 provides a desirable tactile sensation to the user of the
applicator 10, namely, by providing a soft surface that can be
easily gripped, thereby facilitating the easy opening and closing
of the receptacle 12.
[0021] The lip balm 20 comprises a quantity of suitable lip balm
material. One exemplary lip balm material is a composition that is
at least in part a blend of beeswax, coconut oil, olive oil, and
jojoba oil that can be eroded when drawn over a surface (e.g.,
lips). The present invention is not limited to the lip balm
material being a blend of such wax and oils, however, as other
materials (e.g., petrolatum and petrolatum-based compounds) are
within the scope of this disclosure. The blend of beeswax, coconut
oil, olive oil, and jojoba oil can also include various ingredients
including, but not limited to, emollients, ultraviolet protective
agents, moisturizers, vitamins, aloe vera, colorants, fragrances,
and the like. Drawing the material over a surface such as the lips
causes the material to transfer to the surface as a film.
[0022] The spherical outer surface 22 of the lip balm 20 defines a
mound-shaped quantity of the lip balm material. The spherical or
mound shape provides desirable tactile sensations and use benefits
as compared to stick (tubular) forms of the lip balm material.
Desirable tactile sensations result from the spherical shape having
a larger exposed surface area (as compared to the stick forms of
the lip balm material) and the tactile sensation of a curved
surface against the lips. Use benefits include the ability to apply
the lip balm material to both lips simultaneously.
[0023] Referring now to FIG. 4, the lip balm 20 is manufactured
from the lip balm material using a hot pour process. In using the
hot pour process, the lip balm ingredients are combined and heated
in a liquefied phase and poured into the final consumer packaging,
which in this case is the receptacle 12. In preparation for the hot
pour process, the support platform 30 is assembled with the upper
portion 14 and inverted such that the support platform is level and
vertical with regard to the upper portion. Orienting the assembled
upper portion 14 and support platform 30 in this manner allows for
the heated and liquefied phase to be poured into the upper portion
and retained therein. The interior surface 19 of the upper portion
14 may be coated with a release agent prior to pouring the heated
and liquefied phase, which thereby allows for efficient and clean
removal of the upper portion by the user when using the finished
product.
[0024] After the heated and liquefied phase is poured into the
upper portion 14 and filled to a level F to cover at least a
portion of the spokes 34, the liquefied phase is cooled or allowed
to cool. The spokes 34 provide surfaces onto which the solidified
lip balm material can adhere. The present invention is not limited
to the solidification of the lip balm material around spokes,
however, as the support platform can include any suitable
configuration of surfaces around which the lip balm material can
solidify. Upon sufficient solidification of the lip balm material,
the lower portion 16 is inserted onto the assembled and filled
upper portion 14 and support platform 30.
[0025] The use of the hot pour method in manufacturing the lip balm
20 defined by the spherical surface 22 provides cost benefits over
similar methods that use the bullet method. In particular, using
the hot pour method obviates the need for an intermediate step in
which hot liquid is poured into separate molds, thereby also
eliminating the need for additional equipment (molds). Furthermore,
the additional steps of removing solidified product from molds and
processing and handling the solidified product are avoided.
[0026] Although this invention has been shown and described with
respect to the detailed embodiments thereof, it will be understood
by those of skill in the art that various changes may be made and
equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without
departing from the scope of the invention. In addition,
modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or
material to the teachings of the invention without departing from
the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the
invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed in
the above detailed description, but that the invention will include
all embodiments falling within the scope of this disclosure.
* * * * *