U.S. patent application number 14/578025 was filed with the patent office on 2016-06-23 for nail polish kit.
This patent application is currently assigned to L'OREAL. The applicant listed for this patent is L'OREAL. Invention is credited to Lin BAI, Rolando GOROSTIZA.
Application Number | 20160174679 14/578025 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56127999 |
Filed Date | 2016-06-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160174679 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
GOROSTIZA; Rolando ; et
al. |
June 23, 2016 |
NAIL POLISH KIT
Abstract
Embodiments of the present disclosure are related to a nail
polish kit including a stem, a plurality of interchangeable
applicator elements where one applicator element is configured to
connect to the stem at a time, an overcap that is configured to
connect to the stem and a tray that holds the stem, the overcap and
the plurality of interchangeable applicator elements. The distal
end of the stem includes a threaded component that corresponds to a
threaded component of a proximal end of the applicator element,
that can be coupled and decoupled and each of the plurality of
interchangeable applicator elements have a different type of
application mechanism from each of the other plurality of
application elements.
Inventors: |
GOROSTIZA; Rolando; (Clark,
NJ) ; BAI; Lin; (Clark, NJ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
L'OREAL |
Paris |
|
FR |
|
|
Assignee: |
L'OREAL
Paris
FR
|
Family ID: |
56127999 |
Appl. No.: |
14/578025 |
Filed: |
December 19, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
132/73.5 ;
132/75.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 29/20 20130101;
A45D 34/00 20130101; A45D 2200/25 20130101; A45D 34/045
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A45D 29/20 20060101
A45D029/20; A45D 34/04 20060101 A45D034/04 |
Claims
1. A nail polish kit, comprising: a stem; a plurality of
interchangeable applicator elements where one applicator element is
configured to connect to the stem at a time; an overcap that is
configured to connect to the stem; and a tray that holds the stem,
the overcap and the plurality of interchangeable applicator
elements, wherein a distal end of the stem includes a threaded
component that corresponds to a threaded component of a proximal
end of the applicator element, that can be coupled and decoupled,
wherein each of the plurality of interchangeable applicator
elements have a different type of application mechanism from each
of the other plurality of application elements.
2. The nail polish kit of claim 1, wherein the connection between
the stem and the applicator element is a friction fit.
3. The nail polish kit of claim 1, wherein the tray contains a
plurality of wells for housing individual colors of nail
polish.
4. The nail polish kit of claim 1, wherein the overcap has internal
threads that are configured to be connected to a bottle of nail
polish.
5. The nail polish kit of claim 1, wherein one of the plurality of
applicator elements has two spherical balls as the applicator
mechanism for applying nail polish.
6. The nail polish kit of claim 1, wherein one of the plurality of
applicator elements has a brush as the applicator mechanism for
applying nail polish.
7. The nail polish kit of claim 1, wherein the overcap has a
cylindrical shape.
8. The nail polish kit of claim 1, further comprising a tray cap
that secures to the tray and further secures the overcap, the stem,
and the plurality of interchangeable applicator elements in the
tray.
9. The nail polish kit of claim 3, further comprising a tray cap
that secures the overcap, the stem, the plurality of
interchangeable applicator elements, and the nail polish in the
plurality of wells.
10. The nail polish kit of claim 1, wherein the tray is fabricated
of thermoform plastic.
11. A nail polish applicator apparatus comprising: an overcap; a
stem with a first end and a second end, the first end configured to
be removably attachable with an internal component of the overcap;
and a plurality of applicator tips, each applicator tip having a
first end and a second end, the first end of each applicator tip
configured to be removably attachable to the second end of the stem
by a friction fit, wherein, the second end of each applicator tip
has a different type of applicator structure from each of the other
plurality of applicator tips, and wherein the plurality of
applicator tips are interchangeable with the stem, enabling a
selection of any of the plurality of applicator tips with a
specific applicator structure for application of nail polish.
12. The nail polish kit of claim 11, wherein at least one of the
plurality of applicator tips comprises a nail polish texturizing
component.
13. The nail polish kit of claim 11, wherein at least one of the
plurality of applicator tips comprises an applique applying
component.
14. The nail polish kit of claim 11, wherein at least one of the
plurality of applicator tips comprises a second end including
parallel structures for application of nail polish.
15. The nail polish kit of claim 11, wherein at least one of the
plurality of applicator tips comprises a second end including a
geometric shape.
16. The nail polish kit of claim 11, wherein at least one of the
plurality of applicator tips comprises a second end including a
plurality of geometric shapes.
17. The nail polish kit of claim 11, wherein at least one of the
plurality applicator tips comprises a second end including a
hydrophobic coating.
18. The nail polish kit of claim 11, wherein at least one of the
plurality of applicator tips comprises a second end including a
hydrophilic coating.
19. The nail polish kit of claim 11, wherein the first end of each
applicator tip is sized and dimensioned to be removably attachable
to the second end of the stem by a bayonet coupling.
20. The nail polish kit of claim 11, wherein the first end of each
applicator tip is sized and dimensioned to be removably attachable
to the second end of the stem by one or more threaded structures.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Fingernail art is the process of making designs, pictures,
and the like on fingernails. In order to create various design and
pictures, nail polish needs to be applied to specific areas of a
fingernail by different types of brushes and applicators. A user
may require the use of several different types of nail polish
applicators, brushes and the like, to create intricate nail art
designs.
SUMMARY
[0002] Embodiments of the present disclosure are related to a nail
polish kit including a stem, a plurality of interchangeable
applicator elements where one applicator element is configured to
connect to the stem at a time, an overcap that is configured to
connect to the stem and a tray that holds the stem, the overcap and
the plurality of interchangeable applicator elements. The distal
end of the stem includes a threaded component that corresponds to a
threaded component of a proximal end of the applicator element,
that can be coupled and decoupled and each of the plurality of
interchangeable applicator elements have a different type of
application mechanism from each of the other plurality of
application elements.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of
the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the
same becomes better understood by reference to the following
detailed description when considered in connection with the
accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0004] FIG. 1A illustrates nail polish kit according to one
example;
[0005] FIG. 1B illustrates applying paint to a fingernail;
[0006] FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate an assembly of an overcap, a stem,
and a applicator tip for applying nail polish;
[0007] FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate the overcap;
[0008] FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate a stem, which connects to the
overcap;
[0009] FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate an applicator tip, which connects to
the stem; and
[0010] FIGS. 6A-6I illustrate a variety of different applicator
tips, each tip having a different application method for applying
nail polish.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] Fingernail art is the process of making designs, pictures,
and the like on fingernails. In order to create various design and
pictures, nail polish needs to be applied to specific areas of a
fingernail by different types of applicator mechanisms. For
example, brushes, spherical balls, points, and the like.
Furthermore, the surfaces of the applicators may be modified to
create different surface textures or specifically shaped to
dispense substrates onto the fingernail. Surface modification of
the applicators may be important to drive the development and
application of nail polish with different chemical polarity and
binding properties.
[0012] Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a
versatile nail system that allows a user to use a single cap with a
variety of different types of applicator mechanisms. The
applicators are interchangeable with the cap, and allow the user to
switch out one applicator mechanism with another applicator
mechanism to apply different textures, styles and details to
specific areas of a fingernail. This way, the user does not need to
have a multitude of caps, each cap with its own unique application
mechanism.
[0013] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference
numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the
several views.
[0014] FIG. 1A illustrates a nail polish kit in accordance with one
exemplary embodiment. The nail polish kit 100 includes an
applicator assembly. The applicator assembly includes an overcap
300, a stem 400, and a plurality of applicator tips 500. The
overcap 300 is adapted to fit on a conventional nail polish bottle
102. The stem 400 is adapted to attach or connect to the inner
portion of the overcap 300. However, the present disclosure is not
so limited, and the overcap 300 and the stem 400 may be a singular
continuous piece.
[0015] In an embodiment, the overcap 300 removably attaches to the
stem 400. In an embodiment, the overcap 300 removably attaches to
the stem 400 via at least one of a bayonet coupling structure, a
friction fit coupling structure, a snap fit coupling structure, or
a threaded coupling structure having one or more substructures
adapted to coupled to a corresponding bayonet coupling structure,
friction fit coupling structure, snap fit coupling structure, or
threaded coupling structure on the stem 400. In an embodiment, the
overcap 300 is configure to removably attach to the stem 400 by a
bayonet coupling, a friction fit coupling, a snap fit coupling, or
a threaded coupling.
[0016] The stem 400 is also adapted to attach or connect to one of
the plurality of available applicator tips 500. The plurality of
applicator tips 500 allow for user to choose from a variety of nail
polish applicators for applying nail polish to a fingernails. In an
embodiment, a tip 500 can take a variety of shapes, configurations,
or geometries, including, but not limited to, polygonal, spherical,
cylindrical, conical, parabolic, regular or irregular forms.
[0017] The application of nail polish is illustrated in FIG. 1B.
The present disclosure is not limited to the application of nail
polish, as a number of different types of solvents could be applied
to fingernails. Within the nail color and nail care categories,
solvents include acetone-based formulas, gels, oils, creams, waxes,
or a combination. Some of these products contain highly volatile
chemicals so the selected material used in the applicator must be
durable enough to withstand the different solvents. Synthetic
polymers including LDPE (low density polyethylene), TFE
(tetrafluoroethylene), PMP (polymethyl methacrylate (acrylic)), and
PFA (polyfluoroalkoxy) are a few plastics that have shown good
chemical resistance to acetone at various temperatures. These
plastics can be pre-treated to accommodate the solvents.
[0018] In an example, each applicator tip 500 can have a different
applicator mechanism 110. Each applicator mechanism 110 has its own
individual properties, such as size, shape, application method,
material, and the like. The nail polish kit can have a multitude
applicator tips, each with its own unique applicator mechanism.
Alternatively, some of the applicator tips could have the same
applicator mechanism, but of a different size. For example, a thin
brush and a wide brush. These applicators will be described in more
detail later in the specification.
[0019] The nail polish kit 100 further includes a tray 104 for
housing all of the various components of the nail polish kit 100.
The tray 104 can be made of plastic, or any other suitable
material. The tray 104 can include plurality of depressions that
house each individual component. For example, there can be a
depression 108 for the overcap 300 and stem 400 assembly. A
plurality of depressions 106 for the various applicator tips 500.
The tray 104 can further include a plurality of depressions or
wells 110, for holding different nail polishes, for example,
different colors of nail polish. This can help prevent
contamination between different polishes and also allow the user to
only put in the amount of nail polish needed in each well, in order
to prevent waste. The kit can further include a tray cap. The tray
cap is configured to fit on top of the tray 104 and be secured to
the tray 104. The tray cap can hold each individual component in
place, when the components are stored in the tray 104. The tray
cover also seals the wells 110, so that any nail polish placed in
the wells are sealed, so that the nail polish will not dry out, or
spill out of the wells 104.
[0020] FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate the nail polish applicator assembly
200. As describe above, the nail polish applicator assembly 200
includes three different parts, the overcap 300, the stem 400, and
the applicator tip 500. FIG. 2A illustrates an exploded view of the
nail polish applicator assembly 200 and how each of the components
fit together. FIG. 2C illustrates a cross-sectional view of the
nail polish applicator assembly 200 according to the cross-section
line 2C.
[0021] FIG. 3A illustrates the overcap 300 and FIG. 3B illustrates
a cross-sectional view of the overcap 300. The overcap 300 has a
cylindrical shape with an opening 306 at a first end, with an
internal cavity. The overcap 300 may have internal threads 302
within the internal cavity of the overcap 300 that are engagable
with external threads of a nail polish bottle. The overcap 300 may
also include an internal coupling 304 that is above the internal
threads 302 and attaches the overcap 300 to the stem 400. The stem
connects to the overcap via friction fit as seen in FIG. 2C,
whereas the stem is a softer material that is press fit into the
cavity of the of the overcap. The overcap 300 is a size that
enables a user to adequately hold the overcap 300 in their hand and
be able to apply nail polish to fingernails.
[0022] FIG. 4A illustrates the stem 400 and FIG. 4B illustrates a
cross-sectional view of the stem 400. A first end 402 of the stem
400 couples with the overcap 300. In another embodiment, the
overcap 300 and the stem 400 may be single piece and be integral
with each other.
[0023] The second end 404 of the stem 400 has external threads 406.
The external threads 406 are engageable with the plurality of
applicator tips 500. The use of threads enables a friction fit. A
friction fit creates a secure fit between the stem 400 and the
applicator tip 500. A secure fit helps ensure that when the user is
applying nail polish to fingernails that the fit does not wobble or
become loose and cause to user to make a mistake when applying nail
polish. Some connections may not be ideal for connecting the stem
400 to the applicator tip 500. For example, a magnetic connection
might be easily disconnected during the application of nail polish
to fingernails. If the connection is disconnected, the user may
make an error when applying the nail polish. This can create
problems in nail art, as a mistake that occurs when the user has
almost completed the nail art on a particular fingernail, may cause
the user to have to redo the nail art on that fingernail, and waste
the users time. Therefore, the secure connection helps ensure that
the connection does not creates problems for the user while
applying nail polish to the fingernail.
[0024] FIG. 5A illustrates an exemplary applicator tip 500, FIG. 5B
illustrates a cross-sectional view of the applicator tip 500, and
FIG. 5C illustrates a bottom view of the applicator tip 500.
[0025] The exemplary tip illustrated in FIG. 5A has a first end 502
and a second end 504. The second end 504 has a spherical ball 506.
The spherical ball 506 enables the user to dip the ball 506 into
nail polish and then apply the ball 506 to a specific location on
the fingernail to make lines other different shapes.
[0026] FIG. 5B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the applicator
tip 500 illustrated in FIG. 5A. The applicator tip 500 contains
internal threads 508 within the first end 502. The internal threads
508 are engagable with the external threads 406 of the stem 400.
When the stem 400 and the applicator tip 500 are engaged, a
friction fit is created. Mechanical fastening, snap fit, bayonet,
and threads as discussed for this design are some common types of
inexpensive, non-permanent assembly techniques that can form a
frictional lock between the mating parts. The use of a friction fit
is beneficial, as it ensures the connections between the stem 400
and the applicator tip 500. A loose connection could cause a user
to make a mistake while applying nail polish to fingernails. For
example, a slight bump might cause the connection to loosen and
cause the user to make a mistake while painting. If the user makes
a mistake while doing nail art, the mistake can ruin the nail art
the user is making, which can result in lost time for the user, if
the user needs to do the nail again.
[0027] Different applicator tips 500 are interchangeable with the
overcap 300 and stem 400 assembly. Rather than having a multitude
of caps, each cap having a corresponding brush, the applicator tips
are interchangeable with the overcap 300 and stem 400 assembly.
Because each tip does not have its own individual cap, storage of
the applicator tips is more compact. Plus, additional materials are
not needed for the manufacturing of each individual cap and
tip.
[0028] FIGS. 6A-6I illustrate a plurality of different applicator
tips 500. The present disclosure is not limited to the applicator
tips 500 illustrated in FIGS. 6A-6I, but is merely to illustrate a
variety of different applicator tips 500 and application mechanisms
that could be incorporated into the nail polish kit.
[0029] FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate spherical balls of differing size,
ranging from small in FIG. 6A to large in FIG. 6C. The size of the
spherical ball enables the user to obtain different applications of
nail polish. A smaller ball enables the user to paint with finer
detail in comparison to a larger ball. FIG. 6D illustrates a sharp
point that enables the user to apply nail polish in fine detail.
FIG. 6E illustrates a dual spherical ball applicator. The dual
spherical ball applicator enables the user to draw parallel
lines.
[0030] FIGS. 6F-6I illustrate different type of applicator brushes.
Each brush enables to the user to apply nail polish in a different
manner. For example, FIG. 6F illustrates a conventional nail polish
brush, for applying nail polish to the whole fingernail. FIG. 6G
illustrates a brush with short bristles. FIG. 6H illustrates a
detail brush that enables to the user to paint fine details and
lines. FIG. 6I illustrates a brush with wide bristles for painting
large amount of the fingernail at a single time. Brushes may be
composed of natural hair or synthetic fibers which can further
affect the quality and application of the polish. Synthetic fibers
are more easily mass produced but do not have the tapered tip as in
natural hairs to create fine points. These materials used in nail
applicator brushes should be able to withstand the volatile
chemicals may be present in nail polish.
[0031] Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the
present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It
is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended
claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as
specifically described herein.
* * * * *