US20120093565A1

US20120093565A1 - Surf Wax Twist Up and Down Stick

Info

Publication number: US20120093565A1
Application number: US12/904,375
Authority: US
Inventors: Michael Denis Drew
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-10-14
Filing date: 2010-10-14
Publication date: 2012-04-19

Abstract

A combination surf wax storage container and applicator is disclosed. The assembly includes a symmetrical storage container member, which has an open top end and a closed bottom end. A twist up and down member positioned inside the container member supports a solid slug of surf wax. A rotating member attached to said twist up and down member at the exterior base of the container is turned as a means for exposing the surf wax above the open end rim of the container and recoiling the surf wax back into the container for storage. An applicator cap member is releasably secured to the open top end of the container member.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a device for storing a flowable solid material and, more particularly, to a device for applying the flowable solid material on a generally planar surface.
2. Discussion of Prior Art
The state of the art includes various devices for storing and applying materials to a surface. This technology is believed to have significant limitations and shortcomings, including, but not limited to, that the devices are difficult to manually manipulate in order to achieve the desired application of the materials to a surface. These devices are particularly ill suited for applying and spreading a flowable solid material to a generally planar surface. One example of such a flowable solid material is a wax that is applied to the surface of a surfboard.
Surf wax is sold as an exposed bar of wax which is prone to melting in the heat making the application to a surfboard's deck messy and difficult. Exposed surf wax also loses its shape in the heat and results in an unnecessary excess use of the product when rubbing it on a surfboard's deck. If surf wax is dropped on the beach or ground the sand or dirt will be embedded into the wax. When the corrupted surf wax is applied to the deck of a surfboard it results in a grainy wax coating that causes painful skin irritation and rashes for a surfer.
Some examples of devices for containing and spreading substances on various surfaces, for which patents have been granted, include the following:
The surf wax refillable push-up stick with comb/scraper cap in U.S. Pat. No. 6,821,041 to Hallam, 2004 Nov. 23, offers a container with a push-up mechanism at the bottom of the container tube that a person uses to expose the wax that is to be applied to the surfboard. The push up mechanism is less than ideas for exposing and recoiling surf wax. Its tube shape is not conducive to filling and refilling with the current art's square, rectangular or puck shaped surf wax products that are sold on the market.
The surf wax container in U.S. Pat. No. 5,219,238 to Hainbach 1993 Jun. 15, offers a storage container in the shape of a cup for a block of surf wax. In high temperatures the wax will take the shape of the cup as it melts. To apply the surf wax in the container to the deck of a surfboard the user removes the container lid and deflects the cup in an upward manner which will cause the wax to protrude exteriorly from the base. The deflecting mechanism at the base of the cup is less than ideal for exposing the surf wax for application.
The container with integrally formed recoil device in U.S. Pat. No. 7,566,185 to Samuelson , et al. 2009 Jul. 28, enables the user to apply lip balm using only one hand. The container is provided with an elongated, substantially hollow body having at least one opening, a recoil mechanism integrally formed in the body and configured to extend lip balm from and recoil lip balm into the body. The art is designed uniquely for lip balm.
The lip balm container in patent D593,713 to Fogelson 2009 Jun. 2, is an ornamental design for a lip balm container that extends and recoils the product by turning the wheel at the base of the container. The art is designed uniquely for lip balm.
The lip balm container in patent D522,696 to Severa 2006 Jun. 6, is a square ornamental design for a lip balm container that extends and recoils the product by turning the device at the base of the container. The art is designed uniquely for lip balm.
The golf ball sleeve lip balm container in patent D496,135 to Hillock 2004 Sep. 14, is a square ornamental design for a lip balm container that extends and recoils the product by turning the device at the base of the container. The art is designed uniquely for lip balm.
The lip balm container in patent D446,355 to Weinstock 2001 Aug. 7, is an ornamental design for a lip balm container that extends and recoils the product by turning the wheel at the base of the container. The cap of the container is shaped like a ball and is designed to look like a soccer ball, baseball, basketball, tennis ball or globe. The art is designed uniquely for lip balm.
The lip balm container in patent D444,917 to Weinstock 2001 Jul. 10, is an ornamental design for a lip balm container that extends and recoils the product by turning the wheel at the base of the container. The cap of the container is shaped like a football. The art is designed uniquely for lip balm.
The lip balm container in patent D444,597 to Weinstock 2001 Jul. 3, is an ornamental design for a lip balm container that extends and recoils the product by turning the wheel at the base of the container. The cap of the container is shaped like a heart. The art is designed uniquely for lip balm.
The golf bag lip balm container in patent D431,683 to Hillock 2000 Oct. 3, is an ornamental design for a lip balm container that extends and recoils the product by turning the wheel at the base of the container. The container is shaped to look like a golf bag. The art is designed uniquely for lip balm.
The deodorant dispenser in patent D623,540 to Vepuri 2010 Sep. 14, is an ornamental design for a deodorant container that extends and recoils the product by turning the wheel at the base of the container. The art is designed uniquely for deodorant.
The deodorant dispenser in patent D623,960 to Kathofer 2010 Sep. 21, is an ornamental design for a deodorant container that extends and recoils the product by turning the wheel at the base of the container. The art is designed uniquely for deodorant.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the surf wax twist up and down stick are it provides for a superior way of packaging, applying, and storing surf wax. The twist up and down functionality allows for easy and clean surf wax application to the deck of a surfboard and reduces unnecessary waste. In addition the container can be capped protecting the surf wax and offers a convenient method of storage. Other objects and advantages are:

- a) it provides for clean storage of surf wax;
- b) it provides for clean surf wax application to a surfboard avoiding skin irritation caused by the application of dirty wax;
- c) it prevents mess associated with surf wax when it melts;
- d) it provides an easy to hold container that facilitates the surf wax application process;
- e) it provides for a measured application of surf wax onto a surfboard through the use of the twist up and down mechanism;
- f) it provides for both a round tube stick applicator for greater surf wax concentration on a surfboard deck and a wide stick applicator for broader surf wax coverage on the surfboard deck;
- g) it provides for a unique and improved way of packaging and selling surf wax in a protective container.

Further objects and advantages of my surf wax twist up and down stick will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the tube stick surf wax container and applicator.

FIG. 1 a is a top view of the body of the tube stick surf wax container and applicator.

FIG. 1 b is a side view of the body of the tube stick surf wax container and applicator.

FIG. 1 c is a perspective view of the twist up and down mechanism of the tube stick surf wax container and applicator.

FIG. 1 d is a top view of the threaded inside of the screw on cap of the tube stick surf wax container and applicator.

FIG. 1 e is a side view of the exterior of the screw on cap of the tube stick surf wax container and applicator.

FIG. 1 f is a top and bottom view of the twist up and down platform for the twist up and down mechanism of the tube stick surf wax container and applicator.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the wide stick surf wax container and applicator.

FIG. 2 a is a top view of the body of the wide stick surf wax container and applicator.

FIG. 2 b is a side view of the body of the wide stick surf wax container and applicator.

FIG. 2 c is a perspective view of the twist up and down mechanism of the wide stick surf wax container and applicator.

FIG. 2 d is a side view of the exterior of the slide on cap of the wide stick surf wax container and applicator.

FIG. 2 e is a top view of the inside of the slide on cap of the wide stick surf wax container and applicator.

FIG. 2 f is a top and bottom view of the twist up and down platform for the twist up and down mechanism of the wide stick surf wax container and applicator.

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS

10 Screw on cap
12 Tube shaped wax container
13 Container grooves
14 Threaded twist up and down post
16 Round internal twist up and down platform
17 Platform grooves
18 Rotating base wheel
20 Tube stick base
21 Wide stick base
22 Elevated base hole
26 Threaded container rim
28 Threaded screw on cap
30 Platform lock
32 Base lock
34 Threaded platform post hole
36 Slide on cap
38 Wide shaped wax container
40 Oval internal twist up and down platform

SUMMARY

The surf wax twist up and down stick presents a new approach to packaging, storing, and applying surf wax in a tube or oval shaped container with a cap and rotating base wheel that enables the user to expose or recoil the wax. The base wheel is attached to a threaded post with a platform that moves up and down the post depending on the direction that the base wheel is turned. Melted surf wax is poured into the container and cools to a solid in the shape of the container. When the base wheel is turned in one direction the wax is pushed up and exposed as the platform moves up the threaded post. The wax is recoiled when the base wheel is turned in the opposite direction moving the platform down the threaded post. The cap of the container ensures that the wax remains clean and retains its shape when it is not being used.

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show perspective views of a basic version of both a tube stick and wide stick surf wax twist up and down stick. At the base of a tube shaped wax container 12 and wide shaped wax container 38 is a rotating base wheel 18.
FIG. 1 a shows a top view of a uncapped wax container 12 and a tube stick base 20. FIG. 2 a shows a top view of a uncapped wide shaped wax container 38 and a wide stick base 21. Both have an elevated base hole 22 where a base lock 32 that is attached to a threaded twist up and down post 14 rests inside the container.
FIG. 1 b shows a wax container 12 with container grooves 13 and a base hole 22 inside of the tube. The open end of the tube has a threaded container rim 26 to twist on a screw on cap 10 shown in FIG. 1 e. FIG. 2 b shows wax container 38 with container grooves 13 and a base hole 22 inside a wide stick. The open end of the wide stick fits a slide on cap 36 shown in FIG. 2 d and FIG. 2 e.
FIGS. 1 c and 2 c show how a base wheel 18 is connected to a post 14. There is a base lock 32 near where the post 14 is connected to the base wheel 18 that sits above the base hole 22 at the closed end of a container's base 20 or base 21. Above the base lock 32 on the post 14 is a platform lock 30. A round internal twist up and down platform 16 with platform grooves 17 for a tube stick shown in FIG. 1 c and FIG. 1 f and a oval internal twist up and down platform 40 with platform grooves 17 for a wide stick shown in FIG. 2 c and FIG. 2 f both have a threaded platform post hole 34 which is screwed onto the post 14.
FIG. 1 d shows the inside view of a wax container's 12 cap. A threaded screw on cap 28 twists onto the threaded container rim 26. FIG. 2 e shows the inside view of wax container's 38 cap. A slide on cap 36 fits over the open end of wax container 38.
FIG. 1 f shows a top and bottom view of the platform 16. FIG. 2 f shows a top and bottom view of platform 40.
Operation—FIG. 1, 1 a-1 f
The surf wax twist up and down stick shown in FIG. 1 is a tube stick version. Melted surf wax is poured into the container where it cools into a solid bar. The container is capped until the wax is ready for use. To access the surf wax the user removes the cap and turns the base wheel 18 at the bottom of the container which pushes the wax above the container rim. The exposed wax is rubbed onto a surfboard's deck holding the body of the container. When waxing is completed the user recoils the surf wax by turning the base wheel 18 in the opposite direction and capping the container for storage.
FIG. 1 a is the base 20 which is found on the closed end of wax container 12 shown in FIG. 1 b. There is a base hole 22 in the middle of the base 20 where the post 14 enters. FIG. 1 c shows a twist up and down mechanism where the post 14 is secured to a base 20 by a base lock 32 near the bottom of the post which rests on the base hole 22 and the attached base wheel 18 at the external base of the container. A separate platform lock 30 is above the base lock 32 on the post 14 and supports platform 16 which is screwed onto the post 14 through the platform post hole 34 shown in FIG. 1 f. The twist up and down mechanism is housed within wax container 12 and is completely recoiled when melted surf wax is poured into the container. Once the surf wax cools, it hardens into a tube shape within the container. The user turns the base wheel 18 which slides the platform 16 up the post 14. Container grooves 13 and platform grooves 17 act as a track which prevents the platform 16 from turning with the base wheel 18 and guides it as the platform pushes the wax out of the container and recoils the wax back into the container. To recoil the surf wax the user turns the base wheel 18 in the opposite direction causing the platform 16 to slide down the post 14. When the surf wax has been recoiled, wax container 12 has a threaded container rim 26 at its open end that screws onto the screw on cap 28 shown in FIG. 1 d. FIG. 1 e shows a screw on cap 10 that tightly seals the wax, in wax container 12. Surf wax in wax container 12 is applied to the deck of a surfboard by turning the base wheel 18 until the wax is exposed above the rim of the container. The user holds the body of the container and rubs the wax onto the surfboard's deck.
Operation—FIGS. 2, 2 a-2 f
The surf wax twist up and down stick shown in FIG. 2 is a wide stick version. Melted surf wax is poured into the container where it cools into a solid bar. The container is capped until the wax is ready for use. To access the surf wax the user removes the cap and turns the base wheel 18 at the bottom of the container which pushes the wax above the container rim. The exposed wax is rubbed onto a surfboard's deck holding the body of the container. When waxing is completed the user recoils the surf wax by turning the base wheel 18 in the opposite direction and capping the container for storage.
FIG. 2 a is the base 21 which is found on the closed end wax container 38 shown in FIG. 2 b. There is a base hole 22 in the middle of the base 21 where a post 14 enters. FIG. 2 c shows a twist up and down mechanism where the post 14 is secured to the base 21 by a base lock 32 near the bottom of the post which rests on a base hole 22 and the attached base wheel 18 at the external base of the container. A separate platform lock 30 is above the base lock 32 on the post 14 and supports platform 40 which is screwed onto the post 14 through the platform post hole 34 shown in FIG. 2 f. The twist up and down mechanism is housed within wax container 38 and is completely recoiled when melted surf wax is poured into the container. Once the surf wax cools, it hardens into a wide oval shape within the container. The user turns the base wheel 18 which slides platform 40 up the post 14. Container grooves 13 and platform grooves 17 act as a track which secure and guide platform 40 as it pushes the wax out of the container and recoils the wax back into the container. To recoil the surf wax the user turns the base wheel 18 in the opposite direction causing the platform 40 to slide down the post 14. When the surf wax has been recoiled wax container 38 has a slide on cap 36 shown in FIG. 2 d and FIG. 2 e that tightly seals the wax. Surf wax in wax container 38 is applied to the deck of a surfboard by turning the base wheel 18 until the wax is exposed above the rim of the container. The user holds the body of the container and rubs the wax onto the surfboard's deck.

Conclusion, Ramifications, and Scope

Thus the reader will see that my surf wax twist up and down stick provides a superior way of packaging, applying, and storing surf wax. The twist up and down functionality allows for easy and clean surf wax application to the deck of a surfboard and reduces unnecessary waste. In addition the container can be capped protecting the surf wax and offers a convenient method of storage. Other benefits of the surf wax twist up and down stick include:

- it provides for clean storage of surf wax;
- it provides for clean surf wax application to a surfboard avoiding skin irritation caused by the application of dirty wax;
- it prevents mess associated with surf wax when it melts;
- it provides an easy to hold container that facilitates the surf wax application process;
- it provides for a measured application of surf wax onto a surfboard through the use of the twist up and down mechanism;
- it provides for both a round tube stick applicator for greater surf wax concentration on a surfboard deck and a wide stick applicator for broader surf wax coverage on the surfboard deck;
- it provides for a unique and improved way of packaging and selling surf wax in a protective container.

Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the surf wax twist up and down stick but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments. For example, the surf wax twist up and down stick container can have other shapes, such as square, rectangular, trapezoid, hexagon, pentagon, star, etc.; the container can have multiple colors or designs on its exterior; container grooves and platform grooves can vary in placement and number; container caps can either be screw on or slide on; the twist up platform can have other shapes, such as square, rectangular, trapezoid, hexagon, pentagon, star, etc.; the platform lock and base lock can be replaced with a single lock; the base hole does not need to be elevated; the rotating base wheel can have other shapes, such as square, rectangular, trapezoid, hexagon, pentagon, star, etc.; the threads on the threaded twist up and down post can be altered so the rotating base wheel can be twisted in a different direction to expose or recoil'the surf wax.
Thus the scope of the surf wax twist up and down stick should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalent, rather than by the examples given.

Claims

1. A combination surf wax storage container and applicator assembly comprising: (a) a storage container member having an open top end, an closed bottom end, and a hole at the closed bottom end having a threaded post penetrate the hole; (b) a twist up and down member positioned interior the container member, said twist up and down member including a slidable platform attached to said threaded post, said twist up and down member adapted for supporting a slug of solid surf wax material within the container member; (c) a rotating member positioned exterior said closed bottom end of the container member attached to the post protruding from said hole at the closed bottom of the container; and (d) an applicator cap member releasably secured to said open top end of the container member, the cap member including an engagement portion releasably securing the cap member to the container member.

2. The combination surf wax storage container and applicator assembly of claim 1, wherein said storage container member is cylindrical.

3. The combination surf wax storage container and applicator assembly of claim 1, wherein said storage container member is oval.

4. The combination surf wax storage container and applicator assembly of claim 1, wherein said storage container member interior surface is patterned for facile movement of a slug of surf wax therein.

5. The combination surf wax storage container and applicator assembly of claim 1, wherein the platform is circular shaped and slidably attached to the post.

6. The combination surf wax storage container and applicator assembly of claim 1, wherein the platform is oval shaped and slidably attached to the post.

7. The combination surf wax storage container and applicator assembly of claim 5, wherein the circular shaped platform member slidably moves up and down the post by turning said rotating member attached to the base of the post.

8. The combination surf wax storage container and applicator assembly of claim 6, wherein the oval shaped platform member slidably moves up and down the post by turning said rotating member attached to the base of the post.

9. The combination surf wax storage container and applicator assembly of claim 7, wherein said rotating member and attached said threaded post are secured to the container by a lock at the bottom of the post resting on said hole at the closed bottom of the container.

10. The combination surf wax storage container and applicator assembly of claim 8, wherein said rotating member and attached said threaded post are secured to the container by said lock at the bottom of the post resting on said hole at the closed bottom of the container.

11. The combination surf wax storage container and applicator assembly of claim 1, wherein the cap member engagement portion includes thread means for engaging threads on an exterior surface of said storage container member.

12. The combination surf wax storage container and applicator assembly of claim 1, wherein the cap member engagement portion includes friction fit means for engaging an exterior surface of said storage container member.

13. The combination surf wax storage container and applicator assembly of claim 1, wherein said storage container member and the cap member engagement portion contain adjoining complementary, stepped, circumferential edges, whereby rotating the cap member assembly relative to the container member displaces the cap member assembly away from the storage container member open top end.

14. A combination surf wax storage container and applicator assembly comprising: (a) a symmetrical storage container member having an open top end, an closed bottom end with a hole where a threaded post penetrates the closed bottom; (b) a twist up and down member positioned interior the container member, said twist up and down member including a slidable platform screwed onto said threaded post, said twist up and down member adapted for supporting a slug of solid surf wax material within the container member; (c) a rotating member positioned exterior said closed bottom end of the container member attached to the post where it protrudes from said hole at the closed bottom of the container; and (d) a applicator cap member releasably secured to said open top end of the container member, the cap member including an engagement portion releasably securing the cap member to the container member.

15. The combination surf wax storage container and applicator assembly of claim 14, wherein the storage container member interior surface is patterned for facile movement of a slug of surf wax therein.

16. The combination surf wax storage container and applicator assembly of claim 14, wherein the platform is screwed onto the post through a threaded hole in the center of the platform.

17. The combination surf wax storage container and applicator assembly of claim 16, wherein the platform member slidably moves up and down the post by turning the attached said rotating member at the bottom of the container.

18. The combination surf wax storage container and applicator assembly of claim 17, wherein said rotating member and attached said threaded post are secured to the container by a lock at the bottom of the post and resting on said hole at the closed bottom of the container.

19. The combination surf wax storage container and applicator assembly of claim 14, wherein the cap member engagement portion includes thread means for engaging threads on an exterior surface of the storage container member.

20. The combination surf wax storage container and applicator assembly of claim 14, wherein the cap member engagement portion includes friction fit means for engaging an exterior surface of the storage container member.