Special receptacle or package – Combined or convertible – Packaged assemblage or kit
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-30
2001-03-20
Sewell, Paul T. (Department: 3728)
Special receptacle or package
Combined or convertible
Packaged assemblage or kit
C206S823000, C132S293000, C132S303000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06202852
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to cosmetic products. More particularly, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for ascertaining the color of a contained cosmetic product without need for opening of the product's container.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The use of cosmetic products has grown ever more popular as evidenced by the burgeoning of the industry into a billion dollar business. With this popularity has also come the increased difficulty of managing one's own personal stock of products. It is not uncommon for one person to have several hundred products on the shelf, the right color and shade for the right occasion. Unfortunately, having the right color and being able to find it are two distinct issues.
Although some products are packaged in a manner that makes color identification of the contained product easy, most are not. After all, dedication of space on the product's container for an aperture takes away from space that might otherwise bear the manufacturer's trademarks. As a result, a means for identification of the color of a contained cosmetic product that may be implemented after the product's sale is needed.
It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to improve upon the prior art by providing a method and apparatus whereby the color of a contained cosmetic product may be associated with the exterior of the product's packaging. It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a method and apparatus that is easy to use and inexpensive to manufacture.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the foregoing objects, the present invention—a color identifier for use with a contained cosmetic product—generally comprises a cosmetic grade foam swab for retaining a portion of the cosmetic product and a body for associating the swab with the cosmetic product. The body generally comprises a base for supporting the swab in a region adjacent the cosmetic product's container. Further, the body comprises a translucent enclosure, through which the swab is viewable, for maintaining the swab in place upon the base.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the base is provided—on the underside away from the swab—with a patch of adhesive. This patch is covered with a non-adhesive backing, which is removable for fixed application of the color identifier's body to the cosmetic product's container. In this manner, the color identifier is said to be associated with the container, through which association the color of the contained cosmetic product may be ascertained without necessity for opening of the container.
In at least one embodiment of the present invention, the body is constructed from a flexible material, such as plastic. In this embodiment, the body itself preferably forms a hinge structure between the enclosure portion and the base portion whereby the enclosure portion may be folded over and atop the base portion. In this as well as other embodiments, an area of adhesive is preferably predisposed about the peripheral region of the enclosure portion, the base portion or both. When, in the described embodiment, the enclosure is folded atop the base or, in other embodiments, the enclosure portion is otherwise mated with the base, the adhesive interposed therebetween serves to contain the swab. In this manner, the cosmetic product retained upon the swab is prevented from fading due to evaporation of its various contents.
According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the adhesive area is provided as an annulus about the periphery of the enclosure. Similarly, an annular-shaped non-adhesive backing is provided to preserve the adhesive characteristics of the annulus until such time as the present invention is placed in use. At that time, the non-adhesive backing is removed, and disposed of, and the adhesive annulus is utilized to adjoin the enclosure and the base, the swab being circumscribed by the annulus and thereby sealed within the body.
In use, a portion of the cosmetic product is applied to the swab, which is then enclosed within the body. Because the body is provided with a translucent area, the portion of the cosmetic product applied to the swab is viewable notwithstanding its sealed enclosure within the body. The body is then fixedly associated with the cosmetic product's container, whereafter the color of the contained cosmetic product may be ascertained without need for opening of the container.
Finally, many other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the relevant arts, especially in light of the foregoing discussions and the following drawings, exemplary detailed description and appended claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3911936 (1975-10-01), Kingsford
patent: 4469226 (1984-09-01), Matney
patent: 4815608 (1989-03-01), Silberberg
patent: 5325961 (1994-07-01), Ford et al.
patent: 5879769 (1999-03-01), Greenland et al.
Jones Bettina M.
Jones Mark C.
Arnold Troy
Colton, Inc. Wayne J.
Sewell Paul T.
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