SURFACE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] This invention is directed to a device and process of imprinting a dimensional shape onto a surface, whereby a viscous material (including but not limited to gel, glitter glue, or paint) contained in a flexible bottle is forced through channels in a separate assembly.

BACKGROUND

[002] There are currently many products that can add color in a specific shape to a surface through a variety of methods. However, there is a need for a different and novel delivery system that offers the ability to create dimensional images/ shapes using viscous formulations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[003] It is an object of the invention to create a device for transferring a flowable viscous material onto a surface. The device comprises a stamper and a squeezable bottle with a tip containing a flowable viscous material. The stamper comprises a rigid piece and a flexible piece that are removably coupled together and create a space between the two pieces. The rigid piece and flexible piece are generally circular, but could be any shape such as elliptical, square, triangular, etc. The rigid piece fits within the flexible piece such they are sealed together around their respective edges while being removeably coupled. The flexible piece comprises a first side with a first set of channels and a second side with a second set of channels that form a stencil shape design, and holes connecting the channels on the first and second sides. The rigid piece comprises a first side with an attachment piece that rises above the surface of the first side and removably couples to the tip of the squeezable bottle and a second side that is smooth and contacts the first side of the flexible piece. When the second side of the rigid piece and the first side of the flexible piece come in contact, the small space between the pieces forms a channel pathway for the flowable viscous material to move through when the squeezable bottle is coupled to the first side of the rigid piece and the flowable viscous material is squeezed into the channels on the first side of the flexible piece through entrance holes to the channels on the second side of the flexible piece and, when pressed against a surface, along the channel forming a stencil pattern to the exit holes to the second side of the flexible piece. This allows the flowable viscous material to move through the entrance and exit holes and the stencil shape and transfer onto the surface in the desired shape.

[004] It is a further object of the invention to create a well on the flexible piece. The rim on the flexible piece creates a well when the rigid piece is removably coupled to the flexible piece and the pieces are tightly fitted together. This well is a place where trapped air can escape and extra flowable viscous material can be contained as it exits the assemblage system.

[005] It is a further object of the invention to allow a viscous material to be squeezed from a flexible bottle containing a viscous formulation through a series of channels to facilitate the easy application of a decorative shape (which can comprise but not be limited to a star, heart, or butterfly) onto a surface.

[006] It is a further object of the invention to allow a viscous material to be transferred onto a surface without smearing or running.

[007] It is a further object of the invention to create a device that allows a viscous material to be transferred onto a surface and is easy to clean. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[008] Fig. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the invention in a cross section view showing the flexible, squeezable bottle coupled to the stamper and the direction of the flow of the flowable viscous material through the stamper.

[009] Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of the flexible piece with a stencil shape.

[0010] Fig. 3 shows a top view of an embodiment of the flexible piece with a stencil shape of a star.

[0011] Fig. 4 shows a top view of an embodiment of the invention with the rigid piece and flexible piece removably coupled together.

[0012] Fig. 5 shows a blown up version of an embodiment of the invention with the squeeze bottle and stamper in separate positions.

[0013] Fig. 6 shows the preferred embodiment of the invention with the squeeze bottle engaged with the stamper via the rigid piece.

[0014] Fig. 7 shows a preferred embodiment of the device in use with the user squeezing the squeeze bottle and the desired shape being transferred onto a surface via the rigid piece and flexible piece of the stamper.

[0015] Fig. 8A shows a cross section side view of an alternate embodiment of the stamper with the vents in the rim and the channels on the first side of the flexible piece.

[0016] Fig. 8B shows a top view of an alternate embodiment of the flexible piece of the stamper with vents in the rim.

[0017] Fig. 8C shows a bottom view of an alternate embodiment of the stamper with vents in the rim and the channels on the second side of the flexible piece.

[0018] Fig. 8D shows a close up view of the circled portion of Fig. 8C showing the vent in the stencil shape. [0019] Fig. 8E shows an alternate embodiment of the second side of the stamper with the stencil shape.

[0020] Fig. 9A shows an embodiment of the desired stencil shape with gaps in the pathways of the stencil design.

[0021] Fig. 9B shows an alternate embodiment of the desired stencil shape with no gaps in the pathways of the stencil design.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] The present invention relates to a device and method that allows a user to transfer a flowable viscous material 250 onto a surface 500 from a squeezable bottle 200 in a specific desired shape 450. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the invention consists of an assemblage of elements 100 constructed to allow a viscous material 250 to be squeezed from a flexible, squeezable bottle 200 containing a flowable viscous material 250 through a series of channels 350 to facilitate the easy application of a decorative shape(s) 450 onto a surface 500.

[0023] Preferably, the device 100 comprises a stamper 400 consisting of a rigid piece 420 and a flexible piece 425 and a flexible, squeezable bottle 200 containing a flowable viscous material 250. In the preferred embodiment, the rigid piece 420 and the flexible piece 425 of the stamper 400 are both generally circular in shape wherein the rigid piece 420 fits tightly within the flexible piece 425 such they are sealed together around their respective edges while still being removably coupled. In alternate embodiments, the rigid piece 420 and flexible piece 425 can be elliptical in shape, triangular in shape, square in shape etc., such that the flexible piece 425 and the rigid piece 420 are sealed together and removeably coupled.

[0024] In the preferred embodiment, the flexible piece 425 comprises a first side 426 and second side

427, a stencil shape 436, and channels 350. The first side 426 of the flexible piece 425 comprises the channels 350 through which the flowable viscous material 250 moves and a rim 430. The second side 427 of the flexible piece 425 comprises exit holes 435 and the stencil shape design 436 through which the flowable viscous material 250 is transferred to a surface 500 in the shape of the stencil 436. In the preferred embodiment, there is a space 355 between the channels 350 on the first side and the exit holes 435 and stencil 436 on the second side 427 which creates two levels for the viscous material 250 to flow when squeezed from the bottle 200. The viscous material 250 in the first level that flows through the channels 350 does not touch nor is transferred to the surface 500. Only the viscous material 250 in the second level that moves through the exit holes 435 and into the stencil 436 is transferred to the surface 500 in the desired stencil shape 450.

[0025] The rigid piece 420 comprises a first side 421 and a second side 422. The first side has an attachment piece 424 that rises above the surface of the first side 421 and removably attaches to the tip 210 of the flexible, squeezable bottle 200. The attachment piece 424 is a pass through from the flexible, squeezable bottle 250 to the flexible piece 400 and provides a stable attachment point from the squeezable bottle 250 to the stamper 400. The second side 422 of the rigid piece 420 is generally flat and smooth in nature and contacts the first side 426 of the flexible piece 425. This contact creates a space that forms a channel pathway for the flowable viscous material 250 to move through the channels 350 on the flexible piece 425 and exit onto the surface 500 in the desired shape.

[0026] By pressing the assemblage 100 against a surface 500 and by squeezing the flexible, squeezable bottle 200, the flowable, viscous material 250 flows through the first set of channels 350 and then to the second set of channels that form a pattern on the surface 500 to which it is pressed; including but not limited to paper, wood, fabric, skin, and/ or hair.

[0027] In the preferred embodiment, the flexible piece 425 has vents 360 that are molded into the rim 430. The rim 430 on the flexible piece 425 creates a well 470 when the rigid piece 420 is removably coupled to the flexible piece 425 and the pieces are tightly fitted together. This well 470 is a place where trapped air can escape and extra flowable viscous material 250 can be contained as it exits the assemblage system 100. The well 470 is formed by the rim 430 being of a sufficient height to create a side wall around the assemblage system 100. The trapped air and flowable viscous material 250 are not allowed to escape the assemblage system 100 and leak onto the surface 500. This embodiment allows the user to use the device multiple times without having to stop and clean the system between uses. The device is designed so that the flexible piece 425 and rigid piece 420 can easily detach from one another allowing the user to clean any dried viscous material 250 that collects in the well 470 formed by the two pieces.

[0028] The viscous material 250 flows from the attachment piece 424 to the periphery of the flexible piece 425 and the rigid piece 420. In a preferred embodiment, at the periphery, at least one vent 360 is provided between the flexible piece 425 and the rigid piece 420 to allow for the venting of trapped air and excess viscous material 250. This vent 360 allows air, debris, or viscous material 250 that was previously in the channels 350 a way to move out of the system making the squeezable bottle 250 easier to squeeze and possible to transfer the designs to the surface 500 without air bubbles or debris in the flowable viscous material 250. A hole 370 through the flexible piece 425 central to the pattern can be added to provide a path for air to be drawn into the flexible piece 425 without sucking the viscous material 250 from the stencil 436 when the squeezing is relaxed.

[0029] The viscous material 250 can flow from one side of the flexible piece 425 to the other side through holes that connect the pattern on one side to the pattern on the other side. When lifting the stamper 400 from the surface 500 after printing, a vacuum can form inside of the printed shape on the surface 500. This can suck the viscous material 250 into the created design and cause it to splatter on the surface 500 and ruin the look of the design. Therefore, in a preferred embodiment, gaps 437 in the pathways of the stencil design can allow air in, to avoid creating the vacuum to avoid viscous material 250 splatering. Also, a strong seal between the flexible piece 425 and the surface 500 is desired so that the viscous material 250 does not leak outside of the stamper 400. Therefore, it is preferable to add a ridge around the stencil shape 436 to create a beter image on the surface 500.

[0030] The specific embodiments and applications of the device have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art, that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted expect in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms“comprises” and“comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps can be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refer to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C . . . and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, no A plus N, or B plus N, etc.