Lip exfoliation and gloss application

Abstract

Human lip exfoliation is provided using a device to apply flowable exfoliant material to the user's lips, and then effecting powered vibration of a tip of the same device to gently exfoliate the user's lips. The device can include an exfoliator unit and a lip gloss unit, with a magnetic coupling between the units to hold them together until positively separated, yet movement of the lip gloss unit will not result in discharge of exfoliant. The exfoliator unit has a silicone applicator tip with a number of integral silicone bristles for contact with a user's lips. The tip is connected by a passage to a chamber containing exfoliant, and a check valve can be provided between the passage and chamber. Powered vibration of the applicator tip can be provided by an eccentric mass motor mounted immediately adjacent the tip

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/465,150 filed Mar. 16, 2011.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Many consumers feel the need to periodically exfoliate their lips, especially prior to applying lip gloss or other lip color or treatment. One prior art device is designed for entirely manually exfoliating the lips by applying a gentle exfoliant gel, and providing a stationary silicone tip for gently—by manual movement—massaging the lips after the exfoliant is applied. This prior art device is made by the Chinese company COOG, and has a unit body that is molded with polypropylene resin, an interior flat piston, and a screw dial. When the screw dial is moved exfoliant gel is pushed to the silicone tip by the piston through a central passage. U.S. Pat. No. 7,785,026 relates to another prior art manually operated exfoliator device that delivers flowable exfoliant to a user's lips.

For other body parts not as sensitive as the lips US patent publication 2010/0217357 shows the general concept of using a vibrating device with an exfoliant, while U.S. Pat. No. 3,030,647 teaches the general concept using a vibrating device for cosmetic application. US patent publication 2004/0096258 shows the general concept of applying lipstick with a vibrating device.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,712,914, 7,465,114, 7,481,592, US patent publication 2007/0289602, WO2011/009282, CN 201393678, and DE 202009007815 all show the general concept of a vibrating motor located in a body for vibrating an applicator for applying some sort of cosmetic to a user, primarily—though not exclusively—for applying mascara externally placed on the applicator.

The invention combines the best features of the prior art devices set forth above while performing a number of additional tasks, and providing enhanced functionality, efficiency, and simplicity.

According to one aspect of the invention a device is provided which includes an exfoliator unit and a lip gloss unit, connected together by a magnetic coupling. The magnetic coupling effectively isolates the lip gloss unit from the adjustment dial for the exfoliating material piston so that movement of the lip gloss unit will not result in discharge of exfoliant.

The exfoliator unit preferably includes a silicone tip, having integral silicone bristles, to which flowable exfoliating material may pass through a check valve from a chamber containing the flowable material in a polycarbonate body. A battery powered motor is also located in the body, adjacent the tip. When the motor is activated an eccentric mass associated with the motor causes the tip to vibrate. The vibrating action of, combined with the flow of exfoliating material to, the tip gently exfoliates the user's lips when the tip is applied thereto.

After exfoliation, the manual lip gloss applicator at the bottom of the body is detached and lip gloss may be manually applied to the user's lips.

The silicone tip bristles may have a length of between about 0.05-0.5 cm, and a diameter or other largest cross-sectional dimension of between about 0.05-0.3 cm; and the silicone of the bristles desirably has a durometer of between about 40-70 on the Shore A scale.

The powered vibration effecting device desirably comprises an eccentric mass motor mounted substantially immediately adjacent the silicone tip. Typically, the motor is mounted so that the axis of rotation thereof is substantially parallel to the dimension of elongation of the tip. The motor may be mounted in a substantially tubular plastic body containing exfoliant material and is in mounting contact with the body at three approximately equidistant positions around the circumference of the motor. A battery and circuitry for operatively connecting and disconnecting the motor to and from the battery, may be provided, the battery and circuitry mounted adjacent the motor in the body, and the motor, battery and circuitry separated from flowable material in the chamber.

The invention also relates to a method of effecting lip exfoliation using a device to apply flowable exfoliant material to the user's lips, and then effecting powered vibration of a tip of the same device to gently exfoliate the user's lips.

It is a primary object of the invention to facilitate the effective exfoliation of and/or gloss application to a human's lips. This and other objects of the invention are clear from the detailed description of the invention and from the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of an exemplary combined exfoliator and lip gloss applicator device according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the unit of FIGS. 1 & 2 taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the unit of FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 5 is a detailed view, partly in cross-section and partly in elevation, of the tip end of the unit of FIGS. 1-4 showing the motor mount, passageway for exfoliant, check valve, and silicone tip with bristles;

FIG. 6 is a top perspective detail view of the motor, battery and circuitry located in the body of the device of FIGS. 1-5;

FIGS. 7 & 8 are detail cross-sectional views of the device at two different locations [taken along lines 7-7 and 8-8, respectively, of FIG. 5] showing mounting of the motor in the unit;

FIG. 9 is a detailed exploded perspective view of the magnetic coupling between the exfoliator and lip gloss applicator units of the device of FIGS. 1-4;

FIG. 10 is a schematic isometric detail view showing the silicone tip with integral bristles of the device of FIGS. 1-4;

FIG. 11 is an isometric view of the back of the interior cap of the device;

FIG. 12 is a view similar to that of FIG. 11 only showing a seal cover placed to define an offset hole; and

FIG. 13 is a view like that of FIG. 10 of a preferred modified form of the integral bristles of a silicone tip of the device of FIGS. 1-4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An exemplary combined exfoliator and lip gloss applicator device according to the invention is illustrated generally by reference numeral 10 in FIGS. 1-4. It includes a lip gloss applicator unit 11 and an exfoliator unit 12.

The lip gloss applicator unit 11 comprises a main tubular body 13, which preferably is primarily made of a clear plastic and contains conventional liquid or semi-liquid lip gloss, and an applicator component 14. The component 14 includes a desirably opaque plastic screw cap 15 having conventional internal threads 16 (FIG. 3) which cooperates with the conventional external threads 17 (FIGS. 3 & 4) on the proximate end of the body 13. As seen in FIGS. 3 & 4, a conventional doefoot applicator 18—or any other type of conventional applicator (such as a brush) for applying lip gloss to a human's lips—is integral with a wand 19, in turn operatively connected to the screw cap 15 by conventional means. A conventional wiper 20 is also preferably provided.

The unit 11 desirably has a smaller diameter extended portion 21 (see FIGS. 3, 4, & 9) at the end thereof proximate the unit 12, nesting in a tubular recess 22 in the end of unit 12 proximate the unit 11. Unit 11 must be connected to the unit 12 in a manner such that they do not too easily separate (so as to avoid inadvertent detachment) but so that simple touching or rotational movement of the unit 11 does not result in discharge of exfoliant from the unit 12. This is desirably accomplished, according to the invention, by providing a magnetic coupling—shown generally by reference numeral 24 in FIGS. 4 & 9. The magnetic coupling 24 essentially results in a “floating” connection between the units 11 and 12.

In the preferred embodiment—see FIG. 9—the magnetic coupling 24 includes a conventional permanent magnet 25 (which may be disc shaped, as illustrated) glued or otherwise operatively attached to the portion 21, for example in a recess in the section thereof closest to unit 12, and a magnetic material (e. g. iron, steel, cobalt, nickel, etc.) plate or disc 26 glued or otherwise attached to the portion of unit 12 closest to unit 11. Alternatively the magnet 25 could be mounted in unit 12 and the magnetic material plate or disc 26 mounted in unit 11; or two or more permanent magnets having their north and south poles facing toward each other could be mounted in cooperating portions of units 11 and 12.

In the preferred embodiment, the exfoliator unit 12 comprises a tubular strong and durable (e. g. polycarbonate) main plastic body 30 having a rotatable adjustment dial 31 at the proximate (the unit 11) end thereof, and a exfoliating tip 32 at the distal end thereof. A conventional clear plastic tubular cap 33 is desirably provided to cover the tip 32 when not in use, the open end of cap 33 having a conventional releasable snap or separable interference connection to the distal end of main body 30 at the area indicated by reference numeral 34 in. FIGS. 1-3 & 5.

The exfoliating tip 32 is preferably made of silicone, known per se for exfoliating human lips. As used in the specification and claims, the term “silicone” also encompasses other materials having basically the same properties as silicone, including inertness, safety in contacting human skin, moldability, flexibility, and medium firmness. Unlike the prior art, however, the tip 32—as most clearly seen in FIGS. 5 and 10-12—includes a plurality of thin silicone bristles 35 molded integrally therewith. This facilitates the exfoliating action of the tip 32, especially when it is vibrated (as will be further described below).

As a preferable alternative to the relatively thin bristles 35 in FIG. 10, the configuration of FIG. 13 may be utilized. The tip 132 of FIG. 13 has relatively short and thick bristles 135, compared to the bristles 35 in the FIG. 10 embodiment, and the exfoliant flows through the center opening 139 in the tip 132. For example the bristles 135 may have a length of about 0.05-0.50 cm, preferably about 0.08 cm, and a diameter or other largest cross-sectional dimension (e. g. if oval or polygonal in cross-section) of about 0.05-0.3 cm, preferably about 0.1 cm. The silicone of the bristles 135 most desirably has a durometer of between about 40-70 on the Shore A scale, preferably a durometer of about 60-65 on the Shore A scale.

The body 30 has a hollow interior chamber 36 (FIGS. 3-5) which contains a flowable exfoliant material. Any conventional exfoliant, such as in U.S. Pat. No. 7,785,026 or the COOG device described above, may be utilized. One exemplary such exfoliant is a water based gel with a sandy type additive, for gently cleansing human lips.

The exfoliant material flows through an off-center passageway 37 (see FIGS. 5 & 7) from the chamber 36 through a conventional check valve 38 (see FIGS. 3-5) to a central passage 39 in the silicone tip 32. The check valve 38 illustrated comprises a conventional ball 40 pressed by spring 41 into contact with a valve seat 42, but any type of suitable known check valve may be utilized.

The manner in which exfoliant material is caused to flow through the check valve is primarily conventional. A piston 44 (FIGS. 3 & 4) within chamber 36 has a liquid-tight seal with the surface of chamber 36 in body 30 and is connected to the adjustment dial 31 by the conventional threaded-screw linkage 45. The screw linkage 45 only allows the piston 44 to move toward the tip 32 during clockwise rotation C of the dial 31; however, the piston 44 cannot be moved away from tip 32 by counter-clockwise rotation of dial 31.

Novel according to the invention is the provision of a mechanism which selectively provides powered vibration of the tip 32 to facilitate exfoliation of a user's lips. While any conventional device may be utilized which provides powered vibration, the preferred embodiment according to the invention comprises a motor shown generally by reference numeral 50 in FIGS. 4-8. The motor 50 per se is an off-the-shelf 1.5 v motor which rotates an eccentric mass about its axis of rotation (A-A or A in FIGS. 6 & 7, respectively) to provide vibration. As most clearly seen in FIGS. 5 & 6 the eccentric mass motor 50 is mounted within a compartment 51 molded into the body 30. A cutout 52 in the body 30 communicating with compartment 51 is covered by a motor cap 53.

The motor cap 53 may be a silicone component over an actuator button. The motor 50 is cradled snugly in compartment 51 as close to the tip 32 as feasible. Also in compartment 51, opposite the motor 50 from tip 32, is a conventional 1.5 v battery 54 and associated conventional circuitry 55. The conventional circuitry 55 may be as simple as a mechanical or solid-state switch and wires connecting the switch to the battery 54 and motor 50, or it may comprise other or additional components. In any event when the motor cap 53 is depressed the circuitry 55 operatively connects the battery 54 to the motor 50, activating the motor 50.

In the preferred embodiment, the motor cap 53 is sonically welded to the body 30, and must be continuously depressed in order for the motor 50 to operate. When the user releases the motor cap 53, the motor 50 immediately stops. However, the circuitry 55 could be designed so that when the motor cap 53 is depressed once the motor 50 is activated, and when the motor cap 53 is depressed again, the circuitry 55 disconnects the battery 54 from the motor 50, turning it off.

For hygiene purposes, it is desired that the chamber 36 not be refillable by the user. That is one reason why the motor cap 53 is sonically welded to the body 30. There is no ability to replace the battery 54, so the unit 12 cannot be used for long periods of time. The battery 54 and motor 50 are of the type that can be safely land-filled.

In the preferred embodiment the motor 50 is mounted in compartment 51 so that the orientation of the motor axis A-A is substantially parallel to the dimension of elongation of the body 30 and the tip 32. This orientation, combined with the close proximity of the motor 50 to the tip 32, provides a medium vibration to the tip 32. If for some reason the strength of the vibrating action of the tip 32 is desirably enhanced, then the motor 50 may be mounted in substantially the same position as in the drawings, only with the axis A-A of the motor 50 substantially perpendicular to the dimension of elongation of the body 30 instead of substantially parallel thereto.

The motor 50, battery 54, and circuitry 55 in compartment 51 are isolated from the exfoliant material in the chamber 36 by any suitable conventional mechanism, such as the seal cover 57 (FIGS. 4 & 12) which closes off the compartment 51.

The particular manner in which the motor 50 is mounted in the body 30 is unique, and facilitates optimum functionality. As seen in FIG. 7 motor 50 makes contact at three points 59, 60, 61 along its circumferential periphery with wall portions of the body 30 in compartment 51. As see in FIG. 7, the points 59-61 are preferably spaced approximately equidistant from each other around the circumference of the motor 50, e. g. about 120 degrees apart. In the embodiment illustrated, with the cutout 52 at the top, the three points 59-61 of the compartment 51 wall are approximately at the 10 o'clock, 2 o'clock, and 6 o'clock positions, respectively. The motor 50 is separated from the battery 54 and circuitry 55 by interior compartment wall 62 substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation A-A of the motor 50.

As seen most clearly in FIGS. 3-5, an interior cap 64 is provided between the compartment 51 and the silicone tip 32, and in which is mounted a nozzle 65 which provides the valve seat 42 and defines the a pathway before the central passage 39 in tip 32. As shown in FIG. 5 by the arrows F, under the force of the piston 44 the exfoliant material flows from the interior chamber 36 through the off-center passageway 37, through the check valve 38, into the central passage 39 in tip 32. Because passage 39 is relatively small, there is a minimal chance that exfoliant will be wasted, the check valve 38 positively separating the exfoliant in chamber 36 from the ambient air.

FIG. 11 shows the back end (the end closest to motor 50) of the interior cap 64 which has a center opening 67 and defines the end 68 of the offset passageway 37. FIG. 12 shows the cap 64 with the seal cover 57 affixed thereto, covering the center opening 67 so that exfoliant material flow into the opening 67 is provided through the end 68 of the passageway 37.

The device 10 may assembled by connecting all of the components except for the interior cap 64 and those elements on the opposite side thereof from motor 50. As seen in FIG. 3, the piston 44 is initially at a position most remote from the motor 50 so that the chamber 36 has maximum volume. The exfoliant material (e. g. gel) is then injected into the chamber 36 through the passageway 37 until the chamber 36 is substantially filled. Then the cap 64, tip 32, and associated components, are snapped into place on the body 30 using conventional snap-fitting body elements. Alternatively, the chamber 36 can be filled with exfoliant material before the piston 44 is in place, and then the piston properly located.

During use of device 10, the clear cap 33 is removed, the dial 31 is rotated clockwise [C in FIG. 4] moving the piston 44 to force some exfoliant gel from chamber 36 through passageway 37, around the motor 50, through the check valve 38, into central passageway 39 of silicone tip 32. The gel is moved onto the user's lips using the silicone tip 32. Then the motor cap button 53 is depressed, causing the circuitry 55 to connect the battery 54 to the motor 50.

When the motor 50 is energized, its eccentric mass is rotated about its axis of rotation A-A, causing it to vibrate. The vibration is transmitted through interior cap 64 to the silicone tip 32, 132. The powered vibration of the tip silicone bristles 35, 135 provides a mechanical action which works with the exfoliant gel to gently exfoliate the user's lips.

Once the user's lips have been exfoliated, the motor cap button 53 is released, turning off the motor 50. Then the user pulls the lip gloss unit 11 away from the exfoliant unit 12, breaking the magnetic coupling 24 therebetween. Then the screw cap 15 containing the doefoot applicator 18 is unscrewed from the clear plastic tube 13, and the liquid lip gloss on the doefoot applicator 18 is applied to the user's lips.

Because of the magnetic coupling 24, the units 11, 12 are held together until actual separation is desired by the user. Yet if the unit 11 is rotated or otherwise acted upon while connected to unit 12 it will not result in rotation of the dial 31, so exfoliant will not be inadvertently moved out of the chamber 36.

There are many modifications possible according to the invention. For example interchangeable heads can be provided for the unit 12. That is, instead of the exfoliating silicone tip 32 some other head could be provided, such as for applying mascara, lipstick, or some other cosmetic, analgesic, or medicinal material, or for more harshly removing materials on a user's skin.

Any and all specific ranges within any broad numerical range set forth above are also specifically provided herein.

The claims are to be accorded the broadest interpretation possible, limited only by the prior art, so as to encompass all equivalent mechanisms and procedures.

Claims

1. A cosmetic device comprising an exfoliator unit and a lip gloss unit, and a magnetic coupling between the units so that the units will be held together until positively separated, yet rotation or other movement of the lip gloss unit will not result in discharge of exfoliant by the exfoliator unit.

2. A device as recited in claim 1 wherein the lip gloss unit comprises a clear tubular body, a screw cap, and a lip gloss applicator operatively connected to the screw cap.

3. A device as recited in claim 1 wherein the magnetic coupling comprises at least one permanent magnet operatively connected to one of the units, and a magnetic material or at least one other permanent magnet operatively connected to the other of the units.

4. A device as recited in claim 2 wherein the lip gloss applicator comprises a doefoot applicator.

5. A device as recited in claim 1 wherein the exfoliator unit comprises a silicone tip positioned to allow exfoliating contact with a user's lips.

6. A device as recited in claim 5 wherein the silicone tip comprises a plurality of integral silicone bristles for contact with a user's lips, the bristles having a length of between about 0.05-0.5 cm, and a diameter or other largest cross-sectional dimension Of between about 0.05-0.3 cm; and wherein the silicone of the bristles has a durometer of between about 40-70 on the Shore A scale.

7. A device as recited in claim 6 further comprising a device which may effect powered vibration of the silicone tip to facilitate gentle exfoliation of a user's lips therewith.

8. A device as recited in claim 7 wherein the powered vibration effecting device comprises an eccentric mass motor mounted substantially immediately adjacent the silicone tip.

9. A device as recited in claim 8 wherein the silicone tip has a dimension of elongation, and wherein the motor is mounted so that the axis of rotation thereof is substantially parallel to the dimension of elongation of the tip.

10. A lip exfoliator unit comprising.a silicone tip positioned to allow exfoliating contact with a user's lips, and wherein the silicone tip comprises a plurality of integral silicone bristles for contact with a user's lips.

11. A lip exfoliator unit as recited in claim 10 wherein said bristles have a length of between about 0.05-0.5 cm, and a diameter or other largest cross-sectional dimension of between about 0.05-0.3 cm; and wherein the silicone of the bristles has a durometer of between about 40-70 on the Shore A scale.

12. A lip exfoliator unit as in claim 10 further comprising a device which may effect powered vibration of the silicone tip to facilitate gentle exfoliation of a user's lips therewith, said powered vibration effecting device comprises an eccentric mass motor mounted substantially immediately adjacent the silicone tip.

13. A unit as in claim 12 wherein the silicone tip has a dimension of elongation, and wherein the motor is mounted so that the axis of rotation thereof is substantially parallel to the dimension of elongation of the tip; and wherein the motor is mounted in a substantially tubular plastic body containing exfoliant material and is in mounting contact with the body at three approximately equidistant positions around the circumference of the motor.

14. A lip exfoliator unit comprising a silicone tip positioned to allow exfoliating contact with a user's lips, and a device which may effect powered vibration of the silicone tip to facilitate gentle exfoliation of a user's lips therewith.

15. A unit as in claim 14 wherein the powered vibration effecting device comprises an eccentric mass motor mounted substantially immediately adjacent the silicone tip.

16. A unit as in claim 15 wherein the silicone tip has a dimension of elongation, and wherein the motor is mounted so that the axis of rotation thereof is substantially parallel to the dimension of elongation of the tip; and wherein the motor is mounted in a substantially tubular plastic body containing exfoliant material and is in mounting contact with the body at three approximately equidistant positions around the circumference of the motor.

17. A device for applying a flowable material to a user's body, comprising:

a generally tubular body having a chamber therein for holding flowable material;

an applicator tip at one end of the body having a passage in operative communication with the chamber and for applying the flowable material to a user's body;

a check valve between the applicator tip passage and chamber; and

a device which may effect powered vibration of the applicator tip.

18. A device as in claim 17 wherein the powered vibration effecting device comprises an eccentric mass motor mounted substantially immediately adjacent the applicator tip; and further comprising a battery and circuitry for operatively connecting and disconnecting the motor to and from the battery, the battery and circuitry mounted adjacent the motor in the body, and the motor, battery and circuitry separated from flowable material in the chamber.

19. A device as in claim 18 wherein an off-center passageway connects the chamber to the applicator tip, passing around the powered vibration effecting device.

20. A method of effecting lip exfoliation using the device as recited in claim 14 comprising applying flowable exfoliant material to the user's lips using the device, and then effecting powered vibration of a tip of the same device to gently exfoliate the user's lips.