WO2010008880A1

WO2010008880A1 - Body painting system

Info

Publication number: WO2010008880A1
Application number: PCT/US2009/048443
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stacy Smallwood; Brian A. Lauzon
Original assignee: Game Face, Inc.
Priority date: 2008-06-24
Filing date: 2009-06-24
Publication date: 2010-01-21

Abstract

A method for producing a skin paint (5) dispenser system (1). The consumer assembles the desired end product after selecting: a dispenser (1); the pattern of the skin paint (5) after it is applied to the skin; and the paint colors, combination of multiple colors, and the composition of the paint product to be placed within the dispenser. The dispenser (1) may be filled by a manufacturer and pre-packaged, or may be filled or refilled by the consumer.

Description

Body Painting System

I. Technical Field of the Invention This invention relates to a rcfillable dispenser and application system for a skin paint such as paint that can be applied to the face and body. In particular, it relates to a customizable skin paint applicator system where the dispenser, colors or multiple colors, composition and other attributes of the paint (e.g. hypo-allergenic, LJV blockers, skin moisturizers, luminescent, etc.), and the pattern once the paint is applied to the skin (e.g. stripes, patterns) has been assembled and pre-packaged to be purchased in bulk, or in the alternative, the selection of the dispenser, paint color or multiple colors, composition and other attributes of the paint, and pattern after application of the paint to the skin or body, are selected and assembled by the end user.

II. Background of the Invention

[002] A majority of the spectators at sporting events have an '"allegiance" to one of the participating teams. Currently, sport enthusiasm products are items such as replica jerseys, hats, flags, towels, banners, decals. appliques, etc. [003] Some of the more enthusiastic fans apply colored "paint" or appliques to their faces or bodies. Numerous products exist that allow users to apply such paint to their faces or bodies including grease paint or cream-based make up. Glitter, sparkles, or luminescent additives can also be added to the paint. These types of paint or additives are typically sold in large tubes in bulk form and usually consist of a single color or single additive. Therefore, to achieve a multi-color effect, two or more such tubes must be purchased. Given the amount of paint required to paint a face, or even a larger area of the body, the consumer is left with a large amount of unused paint or additive. [004] Various types of dispensers, kits, applicators, and other receptacles have been developed and disclosed. For example, Stanley, III, U.S. Patent No. 6,739,345 describes a kit that comprises of a base material in which colorants may be mixed to achieve desired hues that are then be applied to a person^'s skin. The kit may further include a mixing dish in which the make up may be mixed. Also included is an instructional aide that instructs users on how to mix the make up paints and apply the paints. O^'Brien. U.S. Patent Application No. 2002001 1499 discloses a dispensing container having an operating mechanism for dispensing a face paint product from the container, and which has a cap which locks onto the container. The cap also may seal the face paint product within a container that is similar to a lipstick or lip-balm container. Although this invention eliminates the drawbacks associated with blending separate ingredients into the desired color or hues, the consumer^'s selection is limited to the paint color provided in the pre-packaged product and is not refillable.

[005] O^'Connor. U.S. Patent Application No. 20010047951 teaches a body paint and applicator kit which includes a plurality of body or face paint containers that may or may not have lid-forming bases whereby the containers are stackable. The drawback to this method however is that each color must be individually applied to the face or body with a separate applicator. [006J Look et al., U.S. Patent Nos. 6,648,026, 6,695,510, and 7,703,965 all disclose the manufacture and use of a multi-composition stick product such as lip balm, sun screen, deodorant, or glue stick that may have different colors or patterns for each of the compositions within the product. Although each of the compositions may be of different colors. Look et al. teaches that the purpose of the invention is to allow lhe user to visually differentiate between various compositions within the final product container. However, it is believed that Look's product would not enable the user to apply the compositions onto the skin or surface in distinct color patterns (e.g. stripes). [007] Other methods to apply face or body paint directly to the skin (either "free-hand" or with the use of a "template") are by application of the paint composition onto, or in conjunction with, a latex "skin". Tanemo ct al., U.S. Patent Application No. 20060067899 teaches a paint composition for skin which can which can be removed easily and completely after use. The composition is prepared by blending a rubber latex material which forms a peelable rubber film on the skin^"s surface when applied to the human skin.

[0081 Although face paint is usually worn by spectator at a sporting event, face paint may also be applied by the sport participant. A face paint composition is sometimes applied to the face below the participant's eyes to reduce glare from natural sunlight or artificial lighting. Two examples are Micchia et al., U.S. Patent. No. 4.719,909 that discloses an under-eye light absorbing device and method comprising utilizing a light absorbing replaceable sheet material patch attachable by pressure sensitive adhesive and Markcv III, U.S. Patent. No. 7,01 1 ,401 that teaches an under-eye anti-glare sport tattoo comprised of a solid dermatological composition that forms a film. Both of these inventions are intended to be placed on a person's zygomatic arch skin area adjacent to the lower side of the user's eye orbit.

[009] Another application wherein face or body paint is employed occurs when the individual is not attempting to express "team spirit or allegiance", but quite the opposite - when the individual desires to "blend into his surroundings^". Hunters, sportsman, or military personnel apply various paints, masks, or appliques purposely selected from colors and designs common to a geographic location where hunters or soldiers desire to be visually "hidden^" or "camouflaged^" from animals or other humans. Various methods to achieve this effect include the simple method of applying make up, paints, or other creams in various combinations of colors or designs. Marks III et al., U.S. Patent No. 6,632.499 discloses a temporary camouflaging system that consists of a plurality of camouflaging members each having an exterior surface and a layer of adhesive which attaches to the skin. Similarly. Razzano et al.. U.S. Patent

No. 5.229,121 teaches a camouflaging method where the individual applies colored fluids which dry to form a peelable film. The fluids are used to produce a camouflage pattern which comprises splotches or stripes having colors comprising black, brown, green, yellow, white and gray, or in the alternative, the camouflage pattern can be formed by applying colored fluids over a base layer of peelable film.

[0010] The present invention is not intended to be limited to use by spectators or participants at sporting events, nor sportsman or military personnel. The application of skin paint to the face and body may also be desired by the user at other public events (e.g. festivals, fairs), during holidays (e.g. Halloween. Independence Day), or at private functions (e.g. children's birthday parties, weddings).

[001 1 ] In today's competitive marketplace, products that cater to the user's unique desires or wishes are highly prized. Accordingly, there is a continuing need in the art for a sports-related body paint and applicator kits or camouflage system that are convenient, inexpensive, simple to apply, and overcome the disadvantages currently encountered with prior art devices and methods.

III. Summary of the Invention

[0012] In accordance with the present invention a customizable and refillable skin painting dispensing system is provided for simultaneously applying at least a first and a second paint material to a user. The dispensing system comprises an applicator housing having a hollow interior into which a skin paint material may be contained. The housing further includes a first open end through which the skin paint material can be passed between the interior of the housing, and the exterior of the housing. When disposed outside the housing, the skin paint is positioned to be applied to the skin. A loader is provided for loading the skin paint material into an assembled applicator housing, said loader being operable to load such skin painting material when the applicator housing is in an assembled configuration. A platform is provided for holding the skin paint material substantially within the applicator housing after the skin paint material is loaded by the user into the applicator housing. A closure is provided that is moveable between an open and closed position, for respectively. opening and closing the open end of the applicator housing; and a body paint material mover is coupled to the platform for moving the skin paint within the housing, so that a desired amount of the skin paint can be moved from the interior of the applicator housing, and through the open end, to the exterior of the housing, so that said skin paint material can be applied to the skin. [0013] Preferably, the first paint material comprises a first color paint material, and the second paint material comprises a second color paint material. [0014] One feature of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is that it provides a novel and improved face or body paint dispenser that is refillable, and is customizable by the customer/consumer such that the customer/consumer has the ability to select: a dispenser or applicator which is offered in various shapes, sizes, and methods to elevate or retract the face or body paint within the dispenser or applicator; the desired pattern of the face or body paint after it is applied to the skin; and the multiple paint materials, such as multiple paint colors, compositions, and other attributes of the paint product to be placed within the dispenser or applicator. [0015] Another feature of the present invention is that it provides a dispenser that can be easily tilled by a manufacturer and pre-packaged, or can be filled or refilled by the consumer or end user at the point of sale or thereafter. [0016] It is also a feature of the present invention to provide a dispenser that the consumer can seal and reseal with a protective cap to protect the contents from outside contaminants and to prevent the skin paint product from drying out so the contents may be used at a later time. [0017] These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be fully apparent from the following description when reviewed and taken in conjunction with the incorporated drawings.

IV. Brief Description of Drawings

[001 8] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention showing a device that holds two refillable color sticks;

[0019] FIG. IA is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 ;

[0020] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention that holds three refillable color sticks;

[0021 ] FIG. 2A is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2;

[0022] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a third embodiment the present invention showing a dispenser that holds four refillable color sticks;

[0023] FIG. 3A is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3.

[0024] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention showing a dispenser that holds six refillable color sticks; and

[0025] FIG. 4A is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4.

V. Detailed Description

[0026] Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, FIG. 1 shows the paint dispenser 1 of the present invention that is designed to hold two refillable paint sticks 5 for applying paint to a skin surface, such as a user's face or body. It should be noted that the present invention dispenser 1 is designed to provide the user with an a customizable face or body paint applicator system where the dispenser, color or colors, composition of the paint or additives and the pattern once the composition is applied to the skin has been assembled and pre-packaged to be purchased in bulk. Alternatively, the selection of the dispenser, paint color/composition, and pattern after application of the paint to the skin, can be selected by the end user and then assembled at the point of sale or thereafter by the end-user.

[0027] Preferably, the first refillable paint stick 5 comprises a first color (e.g. green) and the second paint stick comprises a second color (e.g. gold) so that the user can simultaneously dispense two colors of paint (here, green and gold) on his skin by using the dispenser.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 1, the dispenser 1 is comprised of several components. A bottom applicator housing 2 is provided along with and a top applicator housing 3 that snap together. The housings 2, 3 provide a hollow interior into which the multi-color containing paint stick 5 can be contained. [0029] A paint base holder 4 is provided that includes a platform on to which a paint stick 5 can be mounted and held to the dispenser.

[0030J An operating wheel assembly 6 is rotatably moveable with respect to the dispenser 1 , and is used to raise or lower the paint base holder 4 and paint stick 5 within the combined bottom applicator housing 2 and a top applicator housing 3 between a retracted position wherein the paint stick 5 is fully contained within the hollow interior of the housing, and an extended position wherein at least a portion of the paint stick extends through the top opening in the housing, so that the distal end of the paint stick 5 is disposed exteriorly of the housing. The operating wheel assembly 6, which includes an axially extending passageway having a scries of female threads (not shown) for threadedly receiving the male threads of threaded shaft 7a. so that rotational movement of operating wheel assembly 6 causes the threaded shaft 7a to axially move the paint base holding platform, so that the paint stick 5 can be moved between the retracted and extended positions.

[0031 ] FIG. IA shows the internal mechanisms of dispenser 1 as depicted in FIG 1. One embodiment of the present invention is to offer to the end-user a fully assembled dispenser 1, excluding the paint base holder 4 and paint stick 5.

[0032] The individual steps and sequencing to fully assemble dispenser 1 will be dictated by various factors, including but not limited to, the composition of the materials used and the manufacturing and assembly method chosen. Still referring to FIG. IA, one possible sequence to assemble the components would be as follows: [0033] The first step is to place the paint base holding platform 7 (which is permanently fixed to the top of a threaded shaft 7a into the top applicator housing 3. The bottom and sides of the paint base holding platform 7 and the top and inside edges of the top applicator housing 3 are designed to fit together such that the bottom of the raised notches on the paint base holding platform 7 is Hush with (or slightly above) the top edge of the top applicator housing 3.

[0034] The second step is to thread the operating wheel assembly 6, (which has complimentary internal threads) to the threaded shaft 7a, by twisting operating wheel assembly 6 in a counterclockwise motion until the operating wheel assembly 6 extends sufficiently inside the paint base holding platform 7 to allow the bottom applicator housing 2 to interlock with the top applicator housing 3. The bottom inside edges of the top applicator housing 3 and the top edges of the bottom applicator housing 2 are designed to interlock.

[0035] The third step is to then place a protective cap 8 over the top applicator housing 3. The inside edges of the protective cap 8 and the outside edges of the top applicator housing 3 are designed to fit securely together. After the previous first through third steps are complete, the "assembled dispenser device" is ready for sale to the end user.

[0036] The present invention allows the consumer to have the ability to separately purchase the "assembled dispenser device" and then load (or reload) the "assembled dispenser device^" with any combination of consumer selected paint base holders 4 and paint sticks 5.

[0037] Still referring to FIG I A, the end user would load with the face paint base holder 4 and face paint stick 5 into an '"assembled dispenser device^" by performing the following steps: [0038] The first steps is to remove the protective cap 8. Second, the end user should ensure that the bottom of the raised notches on the paint base holding platform 7, which are designed such that they interlock with the notches on the paint base holder 4, are flush with the top of the top applicator housing 3 by first turning the operating wheel assembly 6 in a clockwise direction. [0039] Next, in the third step, the end user, after aligning the notches on the bottom of the paint base holder 4 with the complimentary notches on the paint base holding platform 7, then gently slides the paint base holder 4 (with attached paint stick 5) such that they interlock and rest securely on the top of the paint base holding platform 7. [0040] The fourth step is that the user turns the operating wheel assembly 6 counterclockwise until the top of the face paint stick 5 is below the top edge of the top of the top applicator housing 3. Finally, the end user should replace the protective cap 8 back onto the dispenser to prevent the paint from drying out.

[0041 ] If the end user later decides to apply the paint to his/her face or body, she may remove the protective cap 8. turn the operating wheel assembly 6 counterclockwise such that the desired amount of the paint sticks 5 pass through the end opening so that the distal ends of the paint sticks are positioned exteriorly of the dispenser's interior, and have their exposed distal ends positioned above the top of the top applicator housing 3.

The user may then apply the paint to her face or other body part in a manner similar to applying a common deodorant stick to the underarm. [0042] FIG. 2 depicts another embodiment of the present invention. In Fig. 2, dispenser I a of the present invention includes a bottom applicator housing 2 and a top applicator housing 3 that snap together. A paint base holder 4a is provided that holds a paint stick 5a. An operating wheel assembly 6 is included that is used to raise or lower the paint base holder 4a and paint stick 5a within the combined bottom applicator housing 2 and a top applicator housing 3. The operating wheel assembly 6, has an axially extending, internally threaded passageway that is threadedly engaged by the male threads of the threaded shaft of the paint base holding platform.

[0043] The difference between dispenser Ia depicted in FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4 when compared to the dispenser 1 depicted in FIG. 1 is that dispensers Ia depicted in FlG.

2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4 are designed to hold either three, four, or six separate paint base holders 4a and paint sticks 5a, respectively

[0044] Still another embodiment of the present invention is to offer to the consumer or end user a fully assembled dispenser 1 or Ia which would be manufactured or preassembled with face paint stick 5 or face paint stick 5a as depicted in the drawings [0045 J The present invention fulfills these needs and provides other related advantages, and therefore it is understood that modifications may be made to the present invention and the method of using the same may be made to the present invention, however variations and modifications done by others skilled in the art to which the invention pertains may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of this invention and fall within the claimed scope of the disclosed invention

Claims

What is Claimed is:

1. A skin paint dispensing system ( 1 ). said dispensing system ( 1 ) comprising:

an applicator housing (2) being open at one end to allow the skin paint material (5) that is contained within said applicator housing (2) to be dispensed and applied to the face or body,

means for said skin paint material (5) to be initially loaded or reloaded with skin paint material (5) after said applicator housing (2) has been assembled without the consumer having to materially disassemble said applicator housing (2) where said skin paint material (5) to be initially loaded or reloaded into said applicator housing (2) is selected by the consumer,

means for said skin paint material (5) to be substantially contained within said applicator housing (2) after it is loaded or reloaded by user into said applicator housing,

cap means (8) for opening and closing said open end of said applicator housing (2),

means (6) for dispensing the desired amount of said skin paint material (5) from said applicator housing (2) for application or skin paint to the skin or other surface.

2. The skin paint dispensing system claimed in Claim 1 , wherein the consumer selects any combination of colors, multiple colors and combinations of said skin paint (5) to be initially loaded or reloaded into said dispensing system ( 1 ), and by arranging said skin paint (5) within said dispensing system ( 1 ), the consumer is able to design the appearance or pattern of said skin paint material after it is applied to the face or body.

3. The dispensing system claimed in Claim 1 , wherein said means for initially loading or reloading said skin paint material (5) into said applicator housing (2), comprises a platform (4) positioned within said applicator housing (2) where said platform (4) includes a coupler for securely coupling the platform (4) to a plurality of individual skin paint members.

4. The dispensing system of Claim 3 wherein a plurality of skin paint members comprise a plurality of individual skin paint containers that hold said skin paint.

5. The dispensing system claimed in Claim 3 wherein the platform is threadedly coupled to a rotatable member (6) having a threaded portion, wherein rotation of said rotatable member (6) enables the consumer to elevate or lower said platform (4) within said applicator housing (2).

6. A refillable skin paint dispensing system ( 1 ) is provided for permitting a user to simultaneously apply at least a first and a second skin paint material (5) to a skin surface; the dispensing s\ stem (1) comprising

an applicator housing (2) having a hollow interior into which the at least first and second paint materials (5) can be contained, and an exterior, the housing (2) further including a first open end through which the skin paint material (5) can be passed between the interior of the applicator housing(2), and the exterior, the at least first and second skin paint materials (5) being positionable to be applied to the skin, when disposed outside the housing(2),

a platform (4) disposed within the interior of the applicator housing(2), to which the at least first and second skin paint materials (5) can be coupled for holding the at least first and second skin paint materials (5) substantially within the interior of the applicator housing(2),

a closure member (8) moveable between an open and closed position, for respectively, opening and closing the first open end of the applicator housing; and a body paint material mover (6) coupled to the platform (4) for moving the at least first and second skin paint materials (5) within the applicator housing(2) , for permitting the user to move a desired amount of the at least first and second skin paint materials (5) through the first open end, between the interior of the applicator housing(2). and the exterior of the housing(2).

7. The dispensing system claimed in claim 6 further comprising a loader for loading the at least first and second skin paint materials into the interior of the applicator housing, said loader being operable to load such skin painting material when the applicator housing is in an assembled configuration.

8. The dispensing system claimed in claim 6 wherein the at least first and second skin paint materials comprise a first skin paint material having a first color, and a second skin paint material having a second color.