CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application number 63/133,184 filed on December 31, 2020, which is incorporated herein as if repeated verbatim hereinafter.

FIELD

[0002] Embodiments of the invention relate to containers for housing one or more individually packaged products. More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to containers for housing one or more individually packaged spa products (e.g., products that may be used for administering a manicure treatment and/or a pedicure treatment), and which may be utilized for treatment with or application of the spa products.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Skin care products are often used in providing manicure and pedicure, or other beauty or skin-care services. While there is a myriad of skin care products available in the market like those that may be used in the various steps of a beauty or skin-care treatment, these skincare products often are sold separately and in bulk or multi-use packaging.

[0004] This bulk packaging, often in five-gallon containers, may be unsightly and take up limited space in a spa or salon, and at the same time may be unsuitable to provide display or point-of-sale advertisement of the service provided.

[0005] The application of beauty and skincare products from multi-use packaging may be imprecise, as there may not be a way to administer a consistent application of product to each user. Each technician may have his or her own idea of how much beauty or skincare product is appropriate for an application for each given user. This may make it difficult for a service provider to provide a standardized and consistent beauty or skincare treatment to its customer.

[0006] Bulk or multi-service packaging also may make it more difficult for a service provider to keep track of its inventory when it may not be sure how many servings may be found in the multi-use packaging. A service provider also may have to make large initial investments in bulk multi-use packaging of beauty and skin-care product, and thus, may also be hesitant to make similar investments to try new products and services that also may require up-front costs.

[0007] Multi-use packaging also affects how sanitary, effective, or pleasing to the senses a beauty or skincare product may be. In bulk packaging, the skincare or beauty product may become contaminated from repeated contact with technicians or users and the environment as a result of being accessed many times as a technician accesses the contents of the multi-use packaging on a repeated basis. Beauty and skincare products stored in multi-use packaging may also suffer from a reduced shelf-life due to repeated exposure to the environment each time a technician accesses the contents of the multi-use packaging. The beauty or skincare product may accordingly also suffer from reduced quality and diminished aroma.

[0008] Another potentially unsanitary characteristic of providing a beauty or skincare product or treatment is repeated use of the receptacle in which the beauty and/or skincare products or treatments are prepared and/or administered. Repeated use of a product or treatment receptacle requires thorough cleaning and sanitation between uses by different customers. Such cleaning and sanitation may be time-consuming for the treatment technicians and also may provide an opportunity for inadvertent cross-contamination. SUMMARY

[0009] In accordance with the disclosed subject matter, a single use system for providing a manicure or pedicure treatment, or other beauty or skincare treatment, is provided. The single use system may include a container having a basin portion and a corresponding lid portion each of which includes respective features for permitting the temporary adhesion of the lid portion and the basin portion, and removal of the lid portion from the basin portion by means of adhesive disengagement. In embodiments, the basin portion may include a bottom part, a bowl-like body part, and a rim. The bottom part may be configured to rest on a horizontally flat surface without significant movement thereof that could cause spillage of the contents of the basin portion. The bowl-like body part may be contiguous with the bottom part and outwardly angled therefrom around the entire circumference of the bottom, creating the bowllike configuration of the body part. In embodiments, the rim may be synonymous with an upper edge of the bowl-like body part, thus having a width that is equivalent to the width of the upper edge of the body part. In embodiments, the rim may radially project in a substantially uniform manner from the upper edge of the bowl-like body part creating a lip having a greater width than the width of the upper edge of the body part. In any configuration, the rim may exist in a substantially horizontal plane and may have a width that is at least sufficient to temporarily adhere the lid portion of the, single-use container thereto.

[0010] In embodiments, the lid portion may be a thin, flat sheet of material sized and shaped to be adhered to the rim via any suitable, temporary adhesive known to those having ordinary skill in the art. In embodiments, the lid portion may be substantially flat and sized and shaped for adhesive engagement with the rim as pressure is applied to the rim and/or the lid portion, as is well known in the art. The outwardly facing surface of the lid portion may contain an artistic design believed to be pleasing to a user and/or a customer of a user, an identity of the spa treatment housed inside and/or one or more of the spa products comprising the housed spa treatment, instructions for use of the spa treatment and/or one or more spa products housed inside, or the like.

[0011] In accordance with the disclosed subject matter, one or more individually packaged spa products, collectively comprising a spa treatment, may be removed from its individual packaging, and dispensed into the container. The individual packaging then may be discarded. Any other constituents, e.g., water, may be added thereto to achieve the desired state of the spa product(s) for administering to a customer. All or a portion of the customer’s body part to which the treatment is to be applied (e.g., the customers hands or fingers) then may be placed into the product(s) or the product(s) may otherwise be administered to the customer. If one or more additional products housed within the container requires preparation prior to applying, it may be prepared in the same manner, rinsing the contents of the container prior to its subsequent use with the same customer, if desired. Once the treatment is complete, and all desired individually packaged spa products housed within the container have been utilized, the container itself may be discarded.

[0012] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the features of the disclosed subject matter in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the disclosed subject matter that will be described herein after and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

[0013] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the disclosed subject matter in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosed subject matter is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosed subject matter is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0014] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures for carrying out the several purposes of the disclosed subject matter. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosed subject matter.

[0015] These together with the other obj ects of the disclosed subj ect matter, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosed subject matter, are pointed out with particularity in the claims appended to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the disclosed subject matter, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the disclosure, are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and, together with the Detailed Description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. No attempt is made to show structural details of the disclosure in more detail than may be necessary for a fundamental understanding of the disclosure and the various ways in which it may be practiced. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Features of one embodiment may be employed with other embodiments as the skilled artisan would recognize, even if not explicitly stated herein. Descriptions of well-known components, processing, and techniques may be omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments of the disclosure. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the disclosure may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments of the disclosure. In the drawings:

[0017] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a perspective view of a basin for use in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure, the basin having a lid portion adhered thereto.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a perspective view of the basin of FIG. 1 with the lid portion removed, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a perspective view of the basin of FIG. 1 with the lid portion removed, the basin having a plurality of individually packaged spa products housed inside, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.

[0020] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a front view of four individually packaged spa products that may be housed inside of a basin, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.

[0021] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a perspective view of a single individually packaged spa product that may be housed inside of a basin, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.

[0022] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a top view of a basin for use in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure, the basin being void of individually packaged spa products.

[0023] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a bottom view of a basin for use in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The foregoing and other aspects of the present invention will now be described in more detail with respect to various embodiments described herein. It should be appreciated that the invention can be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

[0025] The terminology used in the present disclosure is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of embodiments of the disclosed invention. As used in the present disclosure, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0026] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the present disclosure and relevant art and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. In case of a conflict in terminology, the present specification is controlling.

[0027] As used herein, “and/or” refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items, as well as the lack of combinations when interpreted in the alternative (“or”).

[0028] Unless the context indicates otherwise, it is specifically intended that various features of the present disclosure can be used in any combination. Moreover, the present disclosure also contemplates that in some embodiments, any feature or combination of features set forth herein can be excluded or omitted. To illustrate, if the specification states that a product comprises components A, B and C, it is specifically intended that any of A, B or C, or a combination thereof, can be omitted and disclaimed.

[0029] The terms “including,” “comprising,” and variations thereof, as used in this disclosure, mean “including, but not limited to,” unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0030] As used in this disclosure, the transitional phrase “consisting essentially of’ (and grammatical variants) is to be interpreted as encompassing the recited materials or steps “and those that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s)” of the claimed invention. See, In re Herz, 537 F.2d 549, 551-52, 190 U.S.P.Q. 461, 463 (CCPA 1976) (emphasis in the original); see also MPEP §2111.03. Thus, the term “consisting essentially of’ as used herein should not be interpreted as equivalent to “comprising.”

[0031] The term “about,” as used herein when referring to a measurable value, such as, for example, an amount or concentration, is meant to encompass variations of ±20%, ±10%, ±5%, ±1%, ±0.5%, or even ±0.1% of the specified amount. A range provided herein for a measurable value may include any other range and/or individual value therein.

[0032] The term “disposable,” as used herein, refers to an article designed to be discarded after use. As such, in accordance with this disclosure, some embodiments of the container described herein are designed to be disposable, that is, designed to be used to provide a spa treatment to a single individual, the spa treatment including one or more of the spa products housed inside of the container prior to use, and then discarded.

[0033] As previously set forth, beauty or skin-care treatments and/or products often are sold in bulk or multi-use packaging. The application of beauty and skincare products from multi-use packaging may be imprecise, as there may not be a way to administer a consistent application of product to each user. Bulk or multi-service packaging also may make it more difficult for a service provider to keep track of its inventory when it may not be sure how many servings may be found in the multi-use packaging. Additionally, multi-use packaging also may affect how sanitary, effective, or pleasing to the senses a beauty or skincare product may be. In bulk packaging, the skincare or beauty product may become contaminated from repeated contact with technicians or users and the environment as a result of being accessed many times as a technician accesses the contents of the multi-use packaging on a repeated basis. Another potentially unsanitary characteristic of providing a beauty or skincare product or treatment is repeated use of the receptacle in which the beauty and/or skincare products or treatments are prepared and/or administered. Repeated use of a product or treatment receptacle requires thorough cleaning and sanitation between uses by different customers. Such cleaning and sanitation may be time-consuming for the treatment technicians and also may provide an opportunity for inadvertent cross-contamination.

[0034] Embodiments of the present disclosure address these drawbacks of traditional spa treatment systems by providing a self-contained, single use system for administering a manicure treatment, a pedicure treatment, or any other beauty or skin-care service. The self- contained, single use system may include a container having a basin portion and a corresponding lid portion, each of which includes respective features for permitting the temporary adhesion of the lid portion and the basin portion, and removal of the lid portion from the basin portion by means of adhesive disengagement. In embodiments, the basin portion may include a circular bottom part, a bowl-like body part, and a rim. The bottom part may be configured to rest on a horizontally flat surface without significant movement thereof that could cause spillage of the contents of the basin portion. The bowl-like body part may be contiguous with the bottom part and outwardly angled therefrom around the entire circumference of the circular bottom part, creating the bowl-like configuration of the body part. In embodiments, the rim may be synonymous with an upper edge of the bowl-like body part, thus having a width that is equivalent to the width of the upper edge of the body part. In embodiments, the rim may radially project in a substantially uniform manner from the upper edge of the bowl -like body part creating a lip having a greater width than the width of the upper edge of the body part or being of a same or similar width but offset from the upper edge of the bowl-like body part. In any configuration, the rim may exist in a substantially horizontal plane and may have a width that is at least sufficient to temporarily adhere the lid portion of the single-use container thereto. [0035] In embodiments, the lid portion may be a thin, flat sheet of material sized and shaped to be adhered to the rim via any suitable, temporary adhesive known to those having ordinary skill in the art. In embodiments, the lid portion may be substantially flat and sized and shaped for adhesive engagement with the rim as pressure is applied to the rim and/or the lid portion, as is well known in the art. The outwardly facing surface of the lid portion may contain an artistic design believed to be pleasing to a user and/or a customer of a user, an identity of the spa treatment housed inside and/or one or more of the spa products comprising the housed spa treatment, instructions for use of the spa treatment and/or one or more spa products housed inside, or the like. In embodiments, the lid portion may include a flange to make it easier for a user to grip the lid for removal thereof.

[0036] In accordance with the disclosed subject matter, one or more individually packaged spa products, collectively comprising a spa treatment, may be removed from its individual packaging, and dispensed into the container. The individual packaging then may be discarded. Any other constituents, e.g., water, may be added thereto to achieve the desired state of the spa product(s) for administering to a customer. All or a portion of the customer’s body part to which the treatment is to be applied (e.g., the customers hands or fingers) then may be placed into the product(s) or the product(s) may otherwise be administered to the customer. If one or more additional products housed within the container requires preparation prior to applying, it may be prepared in the same manner, rinsing the contents of the container prior to its subsequent use with the same customer, if desired. Once the treatment is complete, and all desired individually packaged spa products housed within the container have been utilized, the container itself may be discarded.

[0037] With reference now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a perspective view of a container 100 for use according to some principles of the disclosure, the container including a basin portion 110 and lid portion 112 adhered thereto. One or more beauty or skincare products or treatments 114 may be housed in the container 100. Each of the basin portion 110 and a corresponding lid portion 112 may include respective features for permitting the temporary adhesion of the lid portion 112 and the basin portion 110 and removal of the lid portion 112 from the basin portion 110 by means of adhesive disengagement.

[0038] The basin portion 110 may include a bottom part 116, an outwardly flaring or bowl-like body part 118, and a rim 120 that collectively form a receptacle or container 100 for receiving one or more individually packaged spa products 114A, 114B, 114C, 114D, 114D1 and 114E therein. The bottom part 116 may have a circular shape and may be substantially contained within a horizontal plane such that an outwardly facing surface thereof is capable of resting securely on a flat surface without significant spillage of the contents contained within the basin portion 110. The bowl-like body part 118 may be integrally formed with the bottom part 110 and may extend upwardly from the bottom part 110 at a uniform angle around the circumference thereof. In embodiments the angle of the bowl -like body part 118 may be uniform from the bottom part 116 of the basin portion 110 to the rim 120. In embodiments, the angle of the bowl -like body part 118 may change between the bottom part 116 of the basin portion 110 and the rim 120. In any event, the bowl -like body part 118 may be uniform between the outer circumference of the bottom part 118 of the basin portion 110 and the inner circumference of the rim 120. In other words, although the angle of the bowl-like body part 118 may be inconsistent between a single point on the outer circumference of the bottom part 116 and a corresponding single point on the inner circumference of the rim 120, the angle(s) of the bowl -like body part 118 may be uniform between all points on the circumference of the bottom part 116 and all corresponding points on the inner circumference of the rim 120, thus creating the bowl-like shape of the body part 118 of the basin portion 110.

[0039] In embodiments, the rim 120 may be synonymous with an upper edge of the bowl-like body part 118, thus having a width that is equivalent to the width of the upper edge of the body part 118. In embodiments, the rim 120 may radially project in a substantially uniform manner from the upper edge of the bowl-like body part 118 creating a lip 122 having a greater width than the width of the upper edge of the body part 118. In any configuration, the rim 120 may exist in a substantially horizontal plane and may have a width that is at least sufficient to temporarily adhere the lid portion 112 of the single-use container 100 thereto.

[0040] The lid portion 112 of the container 100 may be substantially flat and sized and shaped for adhesive engagement with the rim 120 of the bottom part 116 as pressure is applied between the lid portion 112 and the rim 120. The outwardly facing surface of the lid portion 112 may contain an artistic design believed to be pleasing to a user and/or a customer of a user, an identity of the spa treatment housed inside and/or one or more of the spa products comprising the housed spa treatment, instructions for use of the one or more spa products housed inside, or the like.

[0041] The container 100 may be sized to receive human hands of various sizes. For instance, in embodiments, the container 100 may be sized to receive hands having a length (z.e., the distance from the wrist to the tip of the longest finger) of between 5.0 inches and 8.5 inches, a breadth (z.e., the measurement across the widest part of the hand) of between 2.5 inches and 4.0 inches, and a circumference (z.e., around the palm, just below the knuckles, and excluding the thumb) between 6.0 inches and 9.0 inches. It will be understood by those having ordinary skill in the art that human hands come in a variety of sizes and are dependent upon a number of factors including gender, height, age, and the like. Therefore, embodiments of the present invention are not intended to be limited by the size of the hands to be received within the container as the container can be made to any desired size specification. In embodiments the container 100 may be sized to receive a pair of human hands in their entirety, in either an extended, semi-contracted, or fully contracted orientation. In embodiments, the container 100 may be sized to receive a single human hand at one time, in either an extended, semi -contracted, or fully contracted orientation. In embodiments, the container 100 may be sized to receive less than an entire human hand or pair of human hands. For instance, the container 100 may be sized to receive only the fingers and/or thumbs of one or a pair of human hands, generally in a semi -contracted or relaxed orientation. Any and all such variations, and any combinations thereof, are contemplated to be within the scope of embodiments hereof.

[0042] In embodiments, the lid portion 112 may not be replaceable once removed from engagement with the basin portion 110. In other embodiments, the lid portion 112 may be replaced by re-adherence with the basin portion 110. In still other embodiments, a second lid portion (not shown) may be adhered to the basin portion 110 to enclose the hollowed-out portion of the basin portion 110 once the originally adhered lid portion 112 has been removed. The illustrated container 100 features a round container portion that presents a substantially uniform, radially projecting outboard rim 120 that is configured for receiving the corresponding lid portion 112.

[0043] One example embodiment for packets 114A and 114B may be as follows: Packet 114A may contain approximately one ounce. Packet 114A may contain mostly (perhaps more than 90%) Sodium Bicarbonate. Other ingredients for Pacekt 114A may include maltodextrin, aloe vera (Barbadensis), talc powder, CBD and fragrance. Packet 114B may contain approximately one ounce. Packet 114B may contain mostly (perhaps more than 90%) Citric Acid. Other ingredients for Pacekt 114B may include menthol crystals, lecithin, aloe vera (Barbadensis), Talc powder and CBD. If the above two packets are added to warm water that has been added to basin portion 110, the result would be an effervescent and pleasant finger soak for a pedicure.

[0044] Packet 114C in an example embodiment could contain a sugar scrub product needed for a third step in a pedicure treatment. Thus, packet 114C may contain an exfoliating Sugar Scrub in an amount of approximately 1 ounce. Such a sugar scrub would preferably be applied and massaged into skin and then preferably rinsed and towel dried. The ingredients for packet 114C may include Propylene Glycol, Sucrose, Polyacrylamide C-13,14 Isoparrain, Laureth-7, Argan Oil (Argania Spinsosa), Oat Oil (Avena Sativa), Kernel Oil, Avocado Oil (Persea Gratissima), Chamomile Oil (Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract), Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxethanol, 99.9% Pure CBD, Fragrance (Parfum), Limonene, Lilial, Linalool, Lyral. Many of the preceding ingredients may be natural based ingredients.

[0045] Packet 114D in an example embodiment could provide the materials needed for a fourth step in a pedicure treatment. Thus, packet 114D may contain approximately 1 ounce and contain CBD Collagen Cream Mask with CBD. Preferably, it would be applied evenly and allow to dry for approximately 2-3 minutes and then wiped off with a damp towel but not rinsed off. Preferably, the ingredients in packet 114D could be as follows: Water, Sesame (Sesamum Indicum) Oil, Aloe Vera Gel (Barbados Aloe), Menthol, Eucalyptus (Globulus) Leaf Oil, Chamomile Extract (Roman Anthemis Nobilis), Coconut Oil, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Kaolin, Cetyl Alcohol, Ceteareth 20, Vitamin E (Tocopheryl Acetate). Preferably, many of these ingredients would also be natural based ingredients.

[0046] In another example embodiment, packet 114D, in the alternative could contain approximately 1 ounce of collagen massage lotion, or, such collagen massage lotion could be contained in an additional, optional, packet 114D1. Preferably, the ingredients of such an optional alternate packet 114D or optional additional packet 114D1 containing massage lotion would include: Water, Propylene Glycol, Sucrose, Polyacrylamide C-13,14 Isoparrain Laureth- 7, Argan Oil (Argania Spinsosa), Oat Oil ( Avena Sativa), Kernel Oil, Avocado Oil (Persea Gratissima), Chamomile Oil (Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract), Helianthus Annus (Sunflower Seed Oil), Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoexthanol, Vegetable Collagen, 99.9% Pure CBD, Fragrance (Parfum), Limonene, Lilial, Linalool, Lyral. Several of the ingredients noted above could be natural based ingredients. The collagen massage lotion may be massaged into the skin as would be normally done by those skilled in the art.

[0047] Packet 114E, in this example embodiment could provide and enclosed package for disposable manicure and pedicure implements which may include such tools as a nail file, a slim buffer and a pusher.

[0048] As described above, implementations of the present disclosure relate to a single use system for administering a spa treatment. Embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in relation to particular aspects, which are intended in all respects to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains without departing from its scope.

[0049] From the foregoing, it will be seen that this disclosure is one well adapted to attain all the ends and objectives set forth above, together with other advantages which are obvious and inherent to the single-use system. It will be understood that certain features and sub-combinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and sub-combinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. [0050] It is to be understood that while certain forms of this disclosure have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto, except in so far as such limitations are included in the following claims and allowable equivalents thereof.