U.S. patent application number 11/120261 was filed with the patent office on 2006-11-09 for angular-edged nail polish applicators.
Invention is credited to Julie Ann Smit.
Application Number | 20060249168 11/120261 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37393005 |
Filed Date | 2006-11-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060249168 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Smit; Julie Ann |
November 9, 2006 |
Angular-edged nail polish applicators
Abstract
A nail polish applicator utilizing a tapered, absorbable, foam
tip so that nail polish may be applied more precisely, more
uniformly and with less mess. The angular, fine-lined edge allows
for precise application of nail polish around the curvatures of the
cuticle area. The soft, pliable cell structure of the foam tip
readily conforms to the contours of the nail during the polish
application and, thereby, paints the nail without leaving any brush
marks. Additionally, the absorbable nature of the foam tip allows
the polish to stay on the tip better with less dripping or mess.
Other embodiments of this invention utilize variations of
angular-edged applicators for more precise nail polish
application.
Inventors: |
Smit; Julie Ann; (Evanston,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Julie A. Smit
1045 Hinman Avenue
Evanston
IL
60202
US
|
Family ID: |
37393005 |
Appl. No.: |
11/120261 |
Filed: |
May 3, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
132/73 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 34/045 20130101;
A45D 2200/1018 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/073 |
International
Class: |
A45D 29/00 20060101
A45D029/00 |
Claims
1. A nail polish applicator comprising an elongated stem which
contains a foam pad on one end for applying nail polish to a
person's fingernail, whereby said foam pad may be stroked over a
fingernail to paint an even coat of nail polish in a precise and
uniform manner, said foam pad containing cells of approximately
equal density so that a uniform and even coat of nail polish may be
applied whereby multiple coats of nail polish are not necessarily
required for complete coverage, said foam pad being capable of
flexing resiliently as said foam pad is stroked over the fingernail
whereby said foam pad is capable of completely bending and
adjusting to the contours of the fingernail, the end of said foam
pad containing an angular edge so that the precise outline of the
cuticle may be painted in a more reliable fashion so that the nail
polish does not end up on a person's skin, said nail polish
applicator being conveniently stored in the nail polish bottle when
not in use with a cap sealing the opening of said nail polish
bottle.
2. The nail polish product of claim 1 wherein said foam pad is
tapered to form a fine-lined edge at the tip for precise
application of nail polish.
3. The nail polish product of claim 1 wherein said foam pad
comprises a polyurethane foam.
4. The nail polish product of claim 1 wherein said foam pad is
substantially in the shape of a wedge.
5. The nail polish product of claim 1 wherein said foam pad
contains a flexible, plastic member for added stability and
resilience.
6. A nail polish product, comprising a bottle including a reservoir
containing nail polish and an opening in the top of said bottle of
nail polish, and an applicator, inserted through said opening in
the top of said bottle of nail polish, including a cap for sealing
said bottle of nail polish, a substantially rigid elongated stem
extending from the underside of said cap, a flexible applicator tip
connected to an end of said elongated stem to better paint the
surface of the fingernail, the end of said flexible applicator tip
comprising an angular edge which ends in a fine-lined edge to more
precisely outline and paint the cuticle area so that nail polish
does not end up on a person's skin, said flexible applicator tip
able to bend at a right angle to said elongated stem to better
adapt and bend to the contours of the fingernail.
7. The nail polish product of claim 6 wherein said flexible
applicator tip comprises a bristle brush with a diagonally cut
edge.
8. The nail polish product of claim 6 wherein said flexible
applicator tip comprises a foam pad with a diagonally formed
edge.
9. A nail polish applicator comprising an elongated stem which
contains a foam pad on one end for applying nail polish to a
person's fingernail, wherein said foam pad is of a tapered design
to apply a coat of nail polish more precisely, uniformly and with
less mess, said foam pad containing cells of substantially equal
density so that a smooth uniform coat of nail polish may be painted
onto the surface of the fingernail, and the end of said nail polish
applicator capable of flexing resiliently as the applicator tip is
stroked over a fingernail to coat it with nail polish, the end
portion of said foam pad comprising a fine-lined, angular edge to
precisely outline and paint the cuticle area so that said nail
polish does not end up on a person's skin.
10. The nail polish applicator of claim 9 wherein said foam pad is
a soft, open cell polyurethane foam.
11. The nail polish applicator of claim 9 wherein said foam pad is
substantially in the shape of a wedge.
Description
[0001] This invention relates to applicators used to apply nail
polish to the surface of a fingernail.
[0002] More specifically, the invention is concerned with painting
the surface of a fingernail more precisely, more uniformly and with
less mess than applicators currently available today. This is
accomplished by utilizing a tapered, absorbable, foam tip
applicator with a fine-lined edge. Other embodiments of this
invention utilize variations of angular-edged applicators.
[0003] Previously nail polish has usually been applied with a
straight-edged brush attached to a rigid stem. The bristles at the
tip of the brush fan out during the application making the process
messy and highly inaccurate. The fact that there is not a more
defined edge on the brush makes it extremely difficult to precisely
apply nail polish around the curvatures of the cuticle area. The
result is the nail polish ends up on the person's skin and must be
wiped off later or blotches the nail necessitating removal and
starting over.
[0004] An additional problem with applying nail polish with a
conventional brush is that the bristles leave brush stroke marks in
the nail polish. Consequently, it is necessary to apply multiple
coats of nail polish to conceal the brush marks. A major benefit of
this invention is that usually only one coat application is
required.
[0005] An additional problem with previous nail polish applicators
is the ends do not flex readily to adapt to the contours of the
fingernail. Typically, a nail polish brush lacks resilience and
once bent stays somewhat curved which interferes with a precise,
uniform nail polish application.
[0006] Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a
tapered, foam tip applicator with a more defined tip to better
maneuver around the cuticle area.
[0007] Another object is to utilize an applicator tip with a
fine-lined edge to apply nail polish more precisely and with less
mess so that the nail polish does not end up on a person's
skin.
[0008] Still another object is to apply a coat of nail polish more
uniformly and evenly so multiple coats are not required.
[0009] Yet another object is to utilize an absorbable foam tip
which absorbs and holds the nail polish better for a neater
application.
[0010] Still another object is to provide an applicator with a foam
tip that flexes resiliently to better adjust to the surface
contours of the fingernail.
[0011] In keeping with an aspect of the invention, the nail polish
is contained in a bottle provided with a cap which incorporates an
applicator having a stem. The stem is of a semi-rigid or rigid
nature and is attached and extends from the underside of the cap.
The other end of the applicator stem contains a tapered, foam tip
for applying a coat of nail polish to a person's fingernail. The
foam tip ends in a fine-lined edge which allows for a more precise
and uniform application.
[0012] When not in use, the cap is secured to the bottle by a
screw-threaded connection and the applicator member is conveniently
stored inside the bottle. The tapered, foam tip may be attached to
the stem in various ways, e.g. by means of adhesive, heat welding
or mechanical fixing.
[0013] The preferred embodiments of the invention may become more
apparent from the following specification, taken with the attached
drawings, wherein:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an applicator with a tapered, foam
tip;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the wedge-shaped design of the
foam tip;
[0016] FIG. 3 shows the applicator applying nail polish to a
fingernail;
[0017] FIG. 4 shows how the applicator is stored inside the bottle
when not in use;
[0018] FIG. 5 shows an alternate embodiment utilizing an angular
edge; and
[0019] FIG. 6 shows a brush applicator utilizing an angular
edge.
[0020] FIG. 1 shows a nail polish applicator 10 containing a cap
12. A stem 14 is attached to the underside of cap 12. The stem 14
contains a foam tip 16 used for applying nail polish. Foam tip 16
is tapered to form a fine-lined edge 24. The fine-lined edge 24
allows the nail polish to be applied with a higher degree of
precision and with less mess than a bristle brush.
[0021] Foam tip 16 may be secured to the stem 14 by gluing a tab 18
to the inside of foam tip 16. Heat welding or mechanical fixing
could also be utilized to bond foam tip 16 to tab 18.
[0022] FIG. 2 shows a side view of nail polish applicator 10. From
the side, foam tip 16 is somewhat in the shape of a wedge. Top 22
of foam tip 16 is thick enough to contain tab 18 of stem 14. From
top 22, foam tip 16 tapers into a fine-lined edge 24. Fine-lined
edge 24 is necessary in order to achieve the high degree of
precision needed for application around the highly curved cuticle
area.
[0023] The cell density of foam tip 16 should be of an absorbable
nature to absorb and hold the nail polish. Also, foam tip 16 should
be of a soft, pliable nature to readily adapt to the contours of
the fingernail. Additionally, foam tip 16 must be of a soft
consistency so as not to leave any stroke marks in the polish
during application. Accordingly, the cell structure of foam tip 16
must be of a substantially uniform size and character to deliver an
even coat of polish. Presently it is thought that a soft, open
cell, polyurethane foam would be best suited to meet the above
requirements.
[0024] FIG. 3 shows nail polish applicator 10 applying polish to a
person's thumb nail. The wedge-shaped design of foam tip 16 allows
for a more precise, uniform and neater nail polish application.
[0025] Additionally, foam tip 16 must be resilient and able to flex
readily to adjust to the contours of the fingernail. For example,
when foam tip 16 is stroked over the surface of the fingernail, it
must be able to flex almost perpendicular to stem 14. The
combination of the wedge-shaped design and the soft, pliable cell
structure of the polyurethane foam makes foam tip 16 ideal for
precise nail polish application.
[0026] FIG. 4 shows how nail polish applicator 10 is stored in
bottle 30 for convenient use and easy storage.
[0027] It should now be apparent how the nail polish applicator 10
works. In operation, cap 12 is unscrewed from bottle 30. Nail
polish applicator 10 is removed from bottle 30 and foam tip 16
stroked over the fingernail to coat it with polish. The fine-lined
edge 24 of foam tip 16 allows precise application of polish around
the curvatures of the cuticle area and convex surface of the
fingernail. The soft, pliable cell structure of foam tip 16 readily
conforms to the contours of the nail during the polish application
and thereby, coats the nail without leaving any brush marks.
Additionally, the absorbable nature of foam tip 16 allows the
polish to stay on the tip better with less dripping or mess.
[0028] FIG. 5 shows an alternate embodiment for a nail polish
applicator 40 with a foam pad 42 which ends in a diagonally cut
edge 44. Foam pad 42 contains a flexible plastic member 46 which
adds extra stability and resilience to foam pad 42. Nail polish
applicator 40 contains an elongated stem 48 which is attached to
the underside of a cap 50. The diagonally cut edge 44 is able to
more precisely paint the fingernail than a conventional,
straight-edged applicator.
[0029] FIG. 6 shows another embodiment for a nail polish applicator
60 which comprises bristles 62 forming a diagonally cut edge 64.
Bristles 62 of diagonally cut edge 64 again adapt much better to
the contours of the fingernail than the conventional straight
bristle brush.
[0030] The diagonally cut edge 64, also, minimizes brush strokes as
the polish glides on more quickly and efficiently. Bristles 62 are
preferably made of a nylon material for added resilience.
[0031] All of the aforementioned embodiments have angular,
fine-lined edges for painting the surface of a fingernail more
precisely, more uniformly and with less mess than applicators
currently used today. Those skilled in the art may find
modifications in the angular-edged, nail polish applicators as
disclosed. Therefore, the appended claims are to be construed
broadly enough to cover all equivalent structures falling within
the scope and spirit of this invention.
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