NATL BRUSH SYSTEM

FIELD

[0001] The present technology relates to fluid applicators, and, more specifically, to applicator brush and cap combinations for nail care products.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Historically, any nail care products that are applied directly to the nail, e.g., nail treatment products, nail polish, base coats, top coats, and the like, are packaged in glass or plastic bottles ranging in size from 1/8 ounce to 8 ounce and include a static choice for a brush and cap combination. That is, the user has no choice in the matter - the bottle of product comes with a brush and cap direct from the manufacturer.

[0003] A user has never been given the ability to purchase separate cap and brush combinations for the bottles of product nor retrofit the bottles with a brush and cap combination of their choosing. Currently no manufacturer offers replacement brushes for retail or personal use for any brand of nail product.

[0004] There are generally two types of nail product cap and brush combinations available in the beauty care industry, both of which include a brush or applicator permanently affixed to a stem, plug or inner cap, and/or over cap and not interchangeable with any other brush, applicator, or cap having different features: (1) the plug brush and over cap; and (2) the cap brush and over cap combination. [0005] Nail product marketers and manufacturers often choose a brush for their product based on what they believe their consumer would like to use. Some marketers and manufacturers use 190 count bristle brushes, while others use 480 count bristle brushes, and others are somewhere in-between. The shapes, styles, compositions, colors, etc. may also vary from brush to brush and manufacturer to manufacturer. Unfortunately, once the nail product is sold to the end user consumer, the brush has already been decided and the consumer cannot change it despite his or her preference for brush. In the nail product industry, manufacturers of these brush and cap combinations may use a common neck finish or they may alter the bottle necks to distinguish their product from competitors.

[0006] Many consumers may prefer wider brushes to hold more product and cover more surface area of a nail with fewer strokes while others may prefer the narrower, professional brushes for greater control in amount of product applied and overall application. Users may also have a preference regarding the shape, style, composition, color, etc. of the brush. Accordingly, there exists a need in the nail product industry for an end user to switch the nail polish brush for a size, shape, style, composition, and color of his or her choosing.

[0007] It is therefore desirable to develop a nail brush system that allows an end user to change brushes after manufacture creates a cap and brush combination.

SUMMARY

[0008] The present technology provides an apparatus for applying a liquid, e.g., a nail treatment products, nail polish, base coats, top coats, and the like, including a container containing a fluid, a cap for covering the container, an applicator j oined to the cap, and at least one dispensing mechanism in communication among the container, the cap, and the application for dispensing the liquid held in the container onto an object, e.g., a finger nail or a toe nail. While the disclosed embodiments pertain to nail treatments and nail products, it is noted that the system of interchangeable and adaptable brushes of different sizes, shapes, styles, compositions, or colors may also be utilized in other applications, such as liquid lipsticks and lip glosses, mascaras, liquid eyeliner, liquid eyeshadow, liquid foundation or concealer, liquid blush, highlighter, or bronzer, and the like. The system may be utilized in any application that utilizes a brush, tip, wand, or similar item to apply a product. The system may be utilized in any application that utilizes a brush, tip, wand, or similar item to apply a product, and wherein the brush is integrated with the cap that covers the product.

[0009] Provided is a nail brush system including interchangeable brushes. The system may include a bottle having a first applicator device having a narrow brush with fewer bristles. The system may also include a second applicator device having a wider brush with more bristles. The system is configured such that both the first applicator device and the second applicator device are configured to be received by the same bottle, or configured so that the corresponding brushes thereof are interchangeable, so that users can user either the first or second applicator device, or corresponding brushes different in size, shape, style, composition, or color, to apply liquid to nails, resulting in different effects depending on the brush.

[0010] In an embodiment, a nail polish or treatment applicator may comprise (a) a brush having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is used to apply a nail polish or nail treatment; (b) a brush insert having a first mating end and a second mating end, wherein the first mating end is attached to the second end of the brush; and (c) a stem having a first end operatively coupled to the second mating end of the brush insert. The applicator may further comprise a plug or cap and the plug or cap may be operatively coupled to a second end of the stem. In an embodiment, the plug or cap and the stem are formed as an integrated unit or the plug or cap and the stem may be formed as two separate components that may be operatively attached to one another. The applicator may further comprise an over cap and the over cap may be operatively coupled to the plug or cap. The plug or cap may be inserted into an interior portion of the over cap and the over cap may comprise threads that mate with the threads of a bottle.

[0011] In an embodiment, the nail polish or treatment applicator may be interchanged with a second nail polish or treatment applicator having a different size, shape, style, composition, or color brush and operatively coupled to the bottle. In an embodiment, the brush insert, stem, and cap or plug may be interchanged with a second brush insert, stem, and cap or plug having a different size, shape, style, composition, or color brush and operatively coupled to the over cap. In an embodiment the brush insert may be interchanged with a second brush insert having a different size, shape, style, composition, or color brush and operatively coupled to the stem. In other words, the various component parts described herein: the brush insert, stem, plug or cap, or applicator with an over cap may be interchangeable with a substantially equivalent component part that includes a different brush. In an embodiment, the full applicator may be switched and utilized with different bottles, but it is also noted that the components of the applicator may be detached and reattached with corresponding mating components having that different brush aspect. The nail polish or treatment applicator may be configured to apply one or more of a base coat, a top coat, a foundation, a traditional nail polish, a gel nail polish, acrylic or polygel polishes, cuticle oil, dehydrators, acetone or nail polish remover, or cuticle remover gel.

[0012] In an embodiment, a nail brush system may comprise (a) a first applicator device; (b) a second applicator device; and (c) a bottle configured to operatively mate with both the first and second applicator device. In an embodiment, the first and second applicator devices may include threading that mates with threading on a neck of the bottle. In an embodiment, a brush of the first applicator device may be different in size, shape, style, composition, or color from a brush of the second applicator. The applicator may be the applicator described above wherein the full applicator may be switched and utilized with different bottles, or the components of the applicator (the brush insert, stem, plug or cap, or applicator with an over cap) may be detached and reattached with corresponding mating components having that different brush aspect. In an embodiment, the first applicator and second applicator may be interchangeable with the bottle to provide a different application of one or more of a base coat, a top coat, a foundation, a traditional nail polish, a gel nail polish, acrylic or polygel polishes, cuticle oil, dehydrators, acetone or nail polish remover, or cuticle remover gel.

[0013] In an embodiment, a method of using a nail brush system comprising the steps of (a) removing a first applicator device from a bottle, wherein the bottle is configured to mate with the first and a second applicator device; (b) inserting the second applicator device into the bottle; (c) coating the second applicator device in a liquid contained within the bottle; (d) removing the second applicator device from the bottle; and (e) applying the liquid coated on the second applicator device onto an object. In an embodiment, the method of using a nail brush system may further comprise (f) removing the second applicator device from the bottle; (g) reinserting the first applicator device into the bottle; (h) coating the first applicator device in a liquid contained within the bottle; (i) removing the first applicator device from the bottle; and (j) applying the liquid coated on the first applicator device onto an object. In an embodiment, a brush of the first applicator device is different in size, shape, style, composition, or color from a brush of the second applicator. In an embodiment, the first applicator and second applicator are interchangeable with the bottle to provide a different application of one or more of a base coat, a top coat, a foundation, a traditional nail polish, a gel nail polish, acrylic or polygel polishes, cuticle oil, dehydrators, acetone or nail polish remover, or cuticle remover gel.

[0014] In an embodiment, a method of providing a liquid including the steps of providing a bottle with a cap featuring a first applicator, the cap capable of sealing liquid contents within the bottle, removing the cap from the bottle, replacing the cap on the bottle with a second cap featuring a second applicator and sealing the liquid contents within the bottle.

[0015] These and other aspects and embodiments are further understood with reference to the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 is a side view of a separated plug brush and over cap system;

[0017] Figure 2 is a side view of a separated cap brush and over cap system;

[0018] Figure 3 is a side view of an embodiment of an applicator device;

[0019] Figure 4 is a side view of an embodiment of an applicator device and bottle combination;

[0020] Figure 5 is a side view of another embodiment of an applicator device;

[0021] Figure 6 is a side view of another embodiment of an applicator device and bottle combination; and

[0022] Figure 7 is a side view of a bottle.

[0023] The drawings are not to scale unless otherwise noted. The drawings are for the purpose of illustrating aspects and embodiments of the present technology and are not intended to limit the technology to those aspects illustrated therein. Aspects and embodiments of the present technology can be further understood with reference to the following detailed description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present teachings, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present teachings. Moreover, features of the embodiments may be combined, switched, or altered without departing from the scope of the present teachings, e.g., features of each disclosed embodiment may be combined, switched, or replaced with features of the other disclosed embodiments. As such, the following description is presented by way of illustration and does not limit the various alternatives and modifications that may be made to the illustrated embodiments and still be within the spirit and scope of the present teachings.

[0025] As used herein, the words“example” and“exemplary” mean an instance, or illustration. The words“example” or“exemplary” do not indicate a key or preferred aspect or embodiment. The word“or” is intended to be inclusive rather an exclusive, unless context suggests otherwise. As an example, the phrase“A employs B or C,” includes any inclusive permutation (e.g., A employs B; A employs C; or A employs both B and C). As another matter, the articles“a” and“an” are generally intended to mean“one or more” unless context suggests otherwise.

[0026] Provided is a nail brush system capable of allowing an end user to retrofit a nail product bottle with a brush with different dimensions that the brush originally provided with the nail product bottle.

[0027] As shown in Figure 3, an applicator device 10 is shown in a disassembled manner to demonstrate the component parts. The applicator device may include a brush 12, a bristle housing or stem 14, and an optional over cap 28, wherein the brush 12 is coupled to a brush housing end or brush insert 16. The brush may include a first end 18 and a second end 17 opposite the first end. The brush 12 may include a plurality of bristles. The first end 18 and second end 17 of the brush 12 may each generally include the ends of the bristles. The first end 18 may also be referred to as the brush tip end 18 and may be used to dip into and apply a nail treatment, nail polish, or the like.

[0028] The second end 17 of the brush 12 may be secured or inserted into or otherwise attach or connect to brush housing end or brush insert 16. The brush housing end 16, or an end thereof opposite the brush 12, may itself be secured or inserted into or otherwise attach or connect to the bristle housing or stem 14. In an embodiment, the bristle housing 14 may be connected to brush housing end 16 opposite a brush tip end 18. In turn, the brush housing end 16 and/or the bristle housing 14 may be secured or inserted into or otherwise attach or connect to a plug or inner cap. In an embodiment, the bristle housing 14 may be operatively connected to an inner cap or plug to create a brush-inner cap or plug combination 20 as an example of an applicator device 10. The plug or inner cap may facilitate attachment of the brush-inner cap or plug combination 20 to the optional over cap 28 to form the applicator device 10. The brush housing end 16 and/or the bristle housing 14 may be secured or inserted into or otherwise attach or connect to the optional over cap 28 in an embodiment where the applicator device 10 does not include a cap or plug.

[0029] As shown in Figure 1, a plug brush and over cap variation 200 includes bristles of the brush 212 that are mounted to a plastic stem 214. The top of the stem flattens out at its upper portion to form a rivet or plug shape 219. This entire component may be referred to as the brush or plug brush, or plug brush combination, 220. The plug brush 220 is inserted into the neck 24 of the bottle 22, see Figure 7, of product with its plug end 219 exposed to form a brush-bottle combination (not shown). After assembly of the brush-bottle combination, an over cap 228 is placed over the plug 219. An exterior pressure pushes the over cap 228 down onto the plug 219 wherein it turns on the threads of the bottle neck 24, and the pressure pushes the plug 219 into an opening inside of the over cap 228, locking the plug brush 220 into the over cap 228 and creating a plug brush and cap combination 200. In this embodiment, the over cap 228 and plug brush 220 may become permanently attached and the over cap 228 unscrewed to allow access to the bottle 22 and corresponding product inside. In another embodiment, the components may be detachable or interchangeable with components having different brushes.

[0030] As shown in Figure 2, a cap brush and over cap combination 300 includes bristles of a brush 312 are mounted to a plastic stem 314. The stem 314 is molded into a cap 319 creating a brush and inner cap combination 320. The cap brush 320 is inserted into the neck 24 of the bottle 22 and rotated along threads of the bottle neck 24 to lock it into place to form a brush-bottle combination (not shown). After assembly of the brush-bottle combination, a decorative over cap 328 may be placed atop the brush-bottle combination or inner cap 319 and secured with little pressure. In this embodiment, the over cap 328 and cap brush 320 become may permanently attached and the cap brush 320 including the over cap 328 unscrewed to allow access to the bottle 22 and corresponding product inside. In another embodiment, the components may be detachable or interchangeable with components having different brushes.

[0031] In an embodiment, the first applicator device 10 may be a plug or cap variation 200, 300 wherein the bristles of the brush 12 are mounted to a plastic stem 14. The top of the stem 14 flattens out at its upper portion to form a rivet or plug shape or a cap 19 (shown also in Figs. 1 and 2 as 219 and 319). The brush 12 and stem 14 may be inserted into the neck 24 of the bottle 22 of product with its plug end or cap 19 exposed. After assembly of the brush 12 and stem 14 into the bottle 22, an over cap 28 may be placed or fitted over the plug or cap 19. An exterior pressure may push the over cap 28 down onto the plug or cap 19 and the over cap 28 itself or the cap 19 (also 319) may turn on the threads of the bottle neck 24, and the pressure may push the brush plug or cap 19 into an opening inside of the over cap 28, selectively attaching the plug or cap 19 into the over cap 28. In this embodiment, the cap 28 and brush 12 may become permanently attached and the cap 28, 19 may be unscrewed to allow access to the bottle 22 and corresponding product inside. The components may be formed from the same materials discussed above.

[0032] The attachment of the disclosed component parts may include any attachment as may be known in the art, including mating components, interlocking components, threaded fit, pressure fit, friction fit, glue, adhesive, curable material, and the like. For example, second end 17 of the brush 12, or the ends of the bristles thereof, may be inserted into the brush housing end 16 and secured by a glue or adhesive material. In an embodiment, the brush housing end 16 may be configured such that the end to be fastened is paired with an appropriate mating portion of the bristle housing 14. This fit may be a threaded fit, pressure fit, or friction fit. Similar attachment may be utilized for the bristle housing 14, or plug or cap thereof, to the optional over cap 28, and for the bristle housing 14 or over cap 28 onto a bottle 22. The attachment of any of the disclosed component parts may be reversible. The attachment of any of the disclosed component parts may be permanent. The reversibility of attachment of the component parts may facilitate interchangeability of the component parts, such as the type of brush 12. The attachment of any of the disclosed component parts may be selective or operative such as by the user.

[0033] The brush 12 may be comprised of bristles of any appropriate material, including but not limited to a synthetic material or combination of materials, such as polyester, nylon, silicone, plastic, wire, fabric, felt, and the like, and/or a natural material such as squirrel, mink, sable, horse, boar, or goat hair, wood, plant fiber, or any other appropriate material. The brush 12 may contain any appropriate number of bristles, including, but not limited to 180 bristles, 190 bristles, 200 bristles, 210 bristles, 220 bristles, 240 bristles, 260 bristles, 280 bristles, 300 bristles, 320 bristles, 340 bristles, 360 bristles, 380 bristles, 400 bristles, 420 bristles, 440 bristles, 460 bristles, 480 bristles, or 500 bristles. The brush may also be a doe foot applicator, a dotting tool, a pointed tool, or the like. [0034] The brush tip end 18 of the applicator device 10 may be configured in a narrower or pointed configuration, allowing for the drawing a precision line of liquid. The brush tip end 18 may be pointed, flat, or rounded. In an embodiment, the brush may have 190 bristles and be narrow in shape. This type of brush may be configured to provide a narrow stroke, paint detailed designs, or the like. In an embodiment, a second applicator may include a different brush size, shape, style, composition, or color to provide variation in the application and usage of the brush, such as that shown in Figure 5.

[0035] The bristle housing 14 may be formed of any appropriate material, including, but not limited to, a polymer or hard or rubber plastic. The inner cap or plug may also be formed of any appropriate material, including, but not limited to, a polymer or hard or rubber plastic.

[0036] The brush-inner cap combination 20 may be configured to mate with a bottle

22. In use, the brush-inner cap or plug combination 20 may be inserted into a neck 24 of the bottle 22 and rotated along threads 26 of the bottle neck 24 to lock the brush-inner cap or plug combination 20 into place, creating a bottle and brush-inner cap or plug combination. After assembly of the brush and brush-inner cap or plug combination 20, an over cap 28 may be placed atop the cap or plug and secured with pressure creating the first applicator device 10. It is also noted that the over cap 28 may be placed and fit over the brush-inner cap or plug combination 20 directly without being inserted into the bottle 22.

[0037] The over cap 28 may be any appropriate dimension, shape and color. The over cap 28 may be formed from any appropriate material, including but not limited to a polymer or hard or rubber plastic. In an embodiment, the over cap 28 may be any appropriate height, including but not limited to at least 20 mm, at least 21 mm, at least 22 mm, at least 23 mm, at least 24 mm, or at least 25 mm. The over cap 28 may be rounded, angular, textured or any other appropriate shape and finish. Figure 4 shows an embodiment of the applicator device 10 and bottle 22 combination.

[0038] As shown in Figure 5, another applicator device 100 is shown in a disassembled manner to demonstrate the component parts. The brush 112 may contain may be secured into bristle housing or stem 114. The bristle housing 114 is connected to brush housing end or brush insert 116 opposite a brush tip end 118. The brush housing end 116 may be configured such that the end to be fastened is paired with an appropriate receiving portion of the bristle housing 114. The bristle housing 114 may be operatively connected to an inner cap (for example, such as the inner cap 319 shown in Figure 2) to create a brush-inner cap combination 120. The brush 112 may be comprised of bristles of any appropriate material, including but not limited to a synthetic material or combination of materials, such as polyester, nylon, silicone, plastic, wire, fabric, felt, and the like, and/or a natural material such as squirrel, mink, sable, horse, boar, or goat hair, wood, plant fiber, or any other appropriate material. The brush 112 may contain any appropriate number of bristles, including, but not limited to 180 bristles, 190 bristles, 200 bristles, 210 bristles, 220 bristles, 240 bristles, 260 bristles, 280 bristles, 300 bristles, 320 bristles, 340 bristles, 360 bristles, 380 bristles, 400 bristles, 420 bristles, 440 bristles, 460 bristles, 480 bristles, or 500 bristles. The brush may also be a doe foot applicator, a dotting tool, a pointed tool, or the like.

[0039] The brush tip end 118 of the second applicator device 100 may be configured in a wide configuration, allowing for the drawing a broad stroke of liquid such that user can cover more surface area in a single stroke. The brush tip end 118 may be pointed, flat, or rounded. In an embodiment, the brush may have 480 bristles and be wide and round in shape. This type of brush may be configured to provide a broad stroke, cover a large surface area with limited overlap and easily reach cuticle edges if used on nails. In an embodiment, a first applicator may include a different brush size, shape, style, composition, or color to provide variation in the application and usage of the brush, such as that shown in Figure 2. [0040] The bristle housing 114 may be formed of any appropriate material, including, but not limited to, a polymer or hard or rubber plastic. The inner cap 118 may also be formed of any appropriate material, including, but not limited to, a polymer or hard or rubber plastic.

[0041] The brush-inner cap combination 120 may be configured to mate with the bottle 22 originally mated with the first device 10. In use, the brush-inner cap combination may be inserted into a neck 24 of the bottle 22 and rotated along threads 26 of the bottle neck 24 to lock the brush-inner cap combination 120 into place, creating a bottle and brush-inner cap combination. After assembly of the brush and brush-inner cap combination, a decorative over cap 128 may be placed atop the brush and brush-inner cap combination 120 and secured with pressure, creating the second applicator device 10. This second applicator device 100 may be substantially the same as the first applicator device 10 except for the brush 12, 112.

[0042] The over cap 128 may be any appropriate dimension, shape and color. The over cap 218 may be formed from any appropriate material, including but not limited to a polymer or hard or rubber plastic. In an embodiment, the over cap 128 may be any appropriate height, including but not limited to at least 20 mm, at least 21 mm, at least 22 mm, at least 23 mm, at least 24 mm, or at least 25 mm. The over cap 128 may be rounded, angular, textured or any other appropriate shape and finish. Figure 6 shows an embodiment of the applicator device 100 and bottle 22 combination.

[0043] In a method of using the nail brush system, a user obtains a bottle 22 with a first applicator 10 device sealing the bottle 22. In an embodiment, the first applicator device 10 may have 190 bristles and have a narrow brush tip 18 configured to make detailed, precise strokes. The user may desire a different brush tip and may remove the first applicator device 10 from the bottle 22. The user may then insert a second applicator device 100 into the bottle 22 and seal the bottle 22. The second applicator device 100 may have 480 bristles and a broad brush rounded tip 118 configured to make broad applications of a liquid and cover surface area and fewer strokes and less time. After the brush 118 on the second applicator 100 is saturated in a nail composition, e.g., after waiting five minutes, the user may remove the second applicator device 100 and brush 118 from the bottle 22 and apply the composition to his or her nails. The user may choose to keep the second applicator device 100 in the bottle 22 or switch back to the first applicator device 10 after use. The user can clean the extra applicator device to remove the nail composition material and store it for its next use in a different or the same composition.

[0044] In another embodiment, the first applicator device may have a broad brush and the second applicator device may have a narrower tip.

[0045] In an embodiment, a nail polish or treatment applicator may be interchanged with a second nail polish or treatment applicator having a different size, shape, style, composition, or color brush and operatively coupled to the bottle. In an embodiment, the brush insert, stem, and cap or plug of either applicator 10, 100 may be interchanged with a second brush insert, stem, and cap or plug having a different size, shape, style, composition, or color brush and operatively coupled to the over cap. In an embodiment the brush insert may be interchanged with a second brush insert having a different size, shape, style, composition, or color brush and operatively coupled to the stem.

[0046] In other words, the various component parts described herein: the brush insert, stem, plug or cap, or applicator with an over cap may be interchangeable with a substantially equivalent component part that includes a different brush. In an embodiment, the full applicator may be switched and utilized with different bottles, but it is also noted that the components of the applicator may be detached and reattached with corresponding mating components having that different brush aspect. The nail polish or treatment applicator may be configured to apply one or more of a base coat, a top coat, a foundation, a traditional nail polish, a gel nail polish, acrylic or polygel polishes, cuticle oil, dehydrators, acetone or nail polish remover, or cuticle remover gel.

[0047] The nail brush system may be sold as individual applicator devices or may be sold in a twin-pack of multiple size brushes. The packaging may be designed to prevent the brush of the applicator device from hitting the side of packaging and becoming damaged during shipment. This system of delivery and the nail brush system itself is a novel concept in the cosmetics field. It allows users to retrofit their existing nail products with new brushes.

[0048] While the technology has been described with reference to various exemplary embodiments, it will be appreciated that the modifications may occur to those skilled in the art, and the present application is intended to cover such modifications and invention as fall within the spirit of the invention.