BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is known to apply cosmetic substances, such as nail polish, to surfaces of the body by various applicators. One of the most common types of applicators is a brush.

Typically, a bristled end of the brush is dipped into a reservoir of nail polish fluid to transfer an amount thereof onto the brush bristles. Although this method of application and the applicator used therefor are suitable for the application of most nail polish fluids, problems may arise when they are employed for the application of fast-drying nail polish fluids, because the fast-drying nail polish fluid tends to congeal or harden upon the brush bristles before it can be applied to the nail surface.

The present invention attempts to overcome at least in part the aforementioned disadvantages of previous cosmetic application means.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a nail polish applicator, comprising an applicator body for housing a reservoir containing nail polish fluid, a brush assembly in operative fluid communication with the reservoir, and a means for encouraging positive flow of the nail polish fluid from the reservoir to the brush assembly, and a removable cap arranged to engage the brush assembly so as to seal the brush assembly from the atmosphere.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the nail polish applicator in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of the nail polish applicator of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the nail polish applicator of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4a is a plan view of a removable cap of the nail polish applicator of Figures 1 to 3; Figure 4b is a cross sectional view of the removable cap shown in Figure 4a; Figure 5 is a schematic representational view of a means for encouraging a positive flow of the nail polish fluid in the nail polish applicator shown in Figures 1-4; and Figure 6 is a schematic representational detailed view of an actuation means for the means for encouraging positive flow of the nail polish fluid in the nail polish applicator shown in Figure 5.

DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals and symbols refer to like parts throughout, there is shown a nail polish applicator 10 comprising an applicator body 14 for housing a reservoir 18 in which nail polish fluid is contained, a brush assembly 24 attached to a first end 11 of the applicator body 14 and in operative fluid communication with the reservoir 18, a means 100 for encouraging positive flow of the nail polish fluid from the reservoir 18 to the brush assembly 24, and a removable

cap 12 arranged to engage the brush assembly 24 so as to seal the brush assembly 24 from the atmosphere.

The applicator body 14 is arranged as a substantially elongate member, and is generally quadrangular with rounded vertices for comfortable handling, although other shapes, such as a cylindrical shape may be entertained as a feature of the external design and appearance of the nail polish applicator 10.

The applicator body 14, and the reservoir 18 in particular, are constructed of a high quality plastic material that is preferably clear or translucent so as to permit visibility of the colour of the nail polish fluid held therein. It is envisaged that the reservoir 18 extends along most of the length of the applicator body 14 to a second end 13 of the applicator body 14.

The reservoir 18 is provided with at least one ball bearing 17 to facilitate adequate mixing of the nail polish fluid held within the reservoir 18 upon agitation of the nail polish applicator 10. An inner surface 89 of the reservoir 18 is provided with a plurality of protrusions 88 extending inwardly into the reservoir 18. The protrusions 88 are disposed around a nail polish fluid outlet 87 located in a proximal end 84 of the reservoir 18 to prevent the ball bearing 17 from blocking the outlet 87.

The reservoir 18 is also provided with a translatable sealing means 80 comprising a convex disc 82 with a transverse cross section corresponding in shape and size to a transverse cross section of the reservoir 18, such that a friction fit is formed between the convex disc 82 and an inner peripheral surface 81 of the reservoir 18. When the reservoir 18 is filled with nail polish fluid the convex disc 82 is arranged to be disposed adjacent to a distal end 83 of the reservoir 18, but as the reservoir 18 is progressively depleted of nail polish fluid the convex disc 82 is arranged to translate

along the length of the reservoir 18 towards a proximal end 84 of the reservoir 18.

The distal end 83 of the reservoir 18 and the second end 13 of the applicator body 14 are provided with an air bleed hole 85 to equilibrate air pressure in a portion of the reservoir 18 located between the convex disc 82 and the distal end 83 of the reservoir 18 as the convex disc 82 progressively translates along the length of the reservoir 18 towards the proximal end 84 thereof. It will be understood that when the reservoir 18 is filled with nail polish fluid, the convex disc 82 will progressively translate along the length of the reservoir 18 towards the distal end 83 thereof. The second end 13 of the applicator body 14 may be optionally provided with a cap also having an air bleed hole.

A portion 15 of the applicator body 14 adjacent to the first end 11 of the applicator body 14 is inwardly tapered towards the first end 11 of the applicator body 14 such that the external transverse cross section of the first end 11 is smaller in area than the general external transverse cross section of the applicator body 14. The portion 15 is formed from a tough rigid plastic material. The tapered portion 15 is generally provided with a sleeve formed from a moulded soft plastics material so that the applicator body 14 can be comfortably gripped by the thumb and second finger of a person employing the nail polish applicator 10. The shape of the tapered portion 15 may be varied to accommodate the shape of the moulded plastic sleeve. Preferably, the applicator body 14 is provided with a ridge 19 extending around an external periphery of the applicator body 14, wherein the ridge 19 is spaced apart from and adjacent to the first end 11 of the applicator body 14.

Referring to Figures 3 and 5, the applicator body 14 is provided with a conduit 22 to allow passage of the nail polish fluid from the reservoir 18 to the brush assembly 24

disposed at the first end 11 of the applicator body 14. The conduit 22 is arranged to lie substantially along the length of the applicator body 14 from the first end 11 of the applicator body 14 to the reservoir 18. The conduit 22 is comprised of a first end portion 28 adjacent to, and in fluid communication with, the reservoir 18, an opposing second end portion 30 adjacent to, and in fluid communication with brush assembly 24, and a chamber portion 32. The means 100 for encouraging positive flow of the nail polish fluid from the reservoir 18 to the brush assembly 24 is operatively located within the conduit 22.

The first end portion 28 of the conduit 22 comprises a narrow section 28a disposed adjacent to, and in fluid communication with, the reservoir 18 and a broad section 28b extending into the chamber portion 32.

The second end portion 30 of the conduit 22 comprises a pair of opposing narrow sections 30a, 30b and an intermediate broad section 30c. The opposing narrow sections 30a, 30b are disposed adjacent to, and in fluid communication with, respectively, the brush assembly 24 and the chamber portion 32.

The means 100 for encouraging positive flow of the nail polish fluid from the reservoir 18 to the brush assembly 24 comprises a first valve 51 disposed in the first end portion 28 of the conduit 22, a second valve 53 disposed in the second end portion 30 of the conduit 22, and an actuation means 55 disposed in operable communication with the first and second valves 51,53.

The first valve 51 is movable between a closed and an open configuration to prevent or allow, respectively, the flow of nail polish liquid between the reservoir 18 containing nail polish fluid and the chamber portion 32 via the first end portion 28.

The first valve 51 comprises a ball 52 located in the broad section 28b of the first end portion 28 of the conduit 22 and a cage member 54 arranged to span the broad section 28b adjacent to the chamber portion 32. The cage member 54 prevents the ball 52 from entering the chamber portion 32. Whilst the ball 52 has a smaller diameter than the diameter of the broad section 28b and is able to move freely within the broad section 28b, the diameter of the ball 52 is much larger than the diameter of the narrow section 28a such that when the ball 52 is located at a junction between the narrow and broad sections 28a, 28b of the first end portion 28 of the conduit 22, ie. when the first valve 51 is in a closed configuration, substantial passage of nail polish fluid from the reservoir 18 to the chamber portion 32 is prevented.

The second valve 53 is movable between a closed and an open configuration to prevent or allow, respectively, the flow of nail polish liquid between the chamber portion 32 and the brush assembly 24 via the second end portion 30.

The second valve 53 is a ball valve including a ball 57 and a spring 59. The ball 57 and the spring 59 are disposed in the broad intermediate section 30c of the second end portion 30 of the conduit 22. Whilst the ball 57 has a smaller diameter than the diameter of the intermediate broad section 30c and is able to move freely within the intermediate broad section 30c, the diameter of the ball 57 is much larger than the diameter of the opposing narrow section 30b such that when the ball 57 is located at a junction between the intermediate broad section 30c and the opposing narrow section 30b of the second end portion 30 of the conduit 22, ie. the second valve 53 is in a closed configuration, substantial passage of nail polish fluid from the chamber portion 32 to the brush assembly 24 is prevented. Preferably, the intermediate broad section

30c is elliptical or square-shaped in cross-section to allow for free passage of the nail polish fluid therein when the second valve 53 is in an open configuration.

The actuation means 55 moves the first and second valves 51,53 between their respective open and closed configurations. Typically the first valve 51 is weaker than the second valve 53.

The actuation means 55 comprises a diaphragm assembly 60 disposed in an upper portion 33 of the chamber portion 32 of the conduit 22, and a button 70 in operable communication with the diaphragm assembly 60 and disposed externally of the applicator body 14.

Referring to Figures 5 and 6, the diaphragm assembly 60 includes a cylindrical diaphragm 62 with a substantially convex upper surface 64. The diaphragm 62 is formed from à resilient plastics material such that the upper surface 64 of the diaphragm 62 can be depressably deformed to a concave configuration under external positive pressure exerted by the button 70.

The diaphragm assembly 60 also includes an external sealing annulus 66 and an internal sealing annulus 68. The external sealing annulus 66 is adapted to provide a friction fit around an external periphery of the diaphragm 62 and the internal sealing annulus 68 is adapted to provide a friction fit around an internal periphery of the diaphragm 62 as shown in detail in Figure 6. The external sealing annulus 66 is also provided with a narrow outwardly extending ridge 67 that is arranged to engage with a corresponding recess 35 in the applicator body 14 in alignment with the chamber portion 32 of the conduit 22. In this way, when the diaphragm assembly 60 is inserted into the chamber portion 32 of the conduit 22 an air-tight seal is provided

between the diaphragm assembly and the applicator body 14 to prevent air entering the chamber portion 32.

An alternative mechanism of attachment of diaphragm 62 is envisaged whereby the diaphragm 62 is a flat disc and is encircled and sealed by a metal ring that is inserted in a corresponding depression on an upper surface of the applicator body 14.

Referring to Figures 5 and 6, the button 70 is a disc with a downwardly extending depression 72 disposed in a central lower surface of the button 70. The depression 72 is vertically aligned with the upper surface 64 of the diaphragm 62.

The depression 72 is provided with a downwardly depending pin 74 that is interconnected with a circular washer 76 disposed on an underside of the diaphragm 62, thereby operably linking the button 70 to the diaphragm 62.

The button 70 is also provided with a spring means 71 arranged to lie beneath the button 70 but externally of the applicator body 14. The spring means 71 is adapted to provide positive upward pressure upon the button 70 when the button 70 is not depressed. The spring means 71 may be a leaf spring or a coil spring, or a mass of soft elastic material similar to the material from which the sleeve is formed.

Alternatively, the button 70 may be attached to the applicator body 14 via a flexible arm portion which inherently provides a positive upward pressure upon the button 70 when the button 70 is not depressed.

When the button 70 is depressed, the external downward force applied to the button 70 is transferred to the convex upper surface 64 of the diaphragm 62, thereby deforming the diaphragm 62 internally into the chamber portion 32 of the conduit 22 and causing an increase in pressure within the chamber portion 32. The increase in pressure first causes the first valve 51 to move to its closed configuration and then

causes the second valve 53 to move to its open configuration. In this way, nail polish fluid is prevented from flowing from the reservoir 18 to the chamber portion 32, whilst nail polish fluid contained in the chamber portion 32 is forced by the increased pressure in the chamber portion 32 to flow to the brush assembly through the second end portion 30 of the conduit 22.

When the button 70 is released, the inherent upward force applied to the button 70 by the spring means 71 causes the circular washer 76 connected to the button 70 by the pin 74 to upwardly urge the upper surface 64 of the diaphragm 62 back to its original convex shape, thereby causing a decrease in pressure within the chamber portion 32.

The decrease in pressure first causes the second valve 53 to move to its closed configuration and then causes the first valve 51 to move to its open configuration. In this way, nail polish fluid is urged by the decreased pressure in the chamber portion 32 to flow from the reservoir 18 to the chamber portion 32, and to be contained therein for later application by the brush assembly 24 when the button 70 is depressed by an operator.

The brush assembly 24 is comprised of an upper and lower set of bristles (not shown) into which the nail polish fluid held in the reservoir 18 is introduced so that it may be applied to a desired surface. The bristles of the brush assembly 24 are preferably arranged to provide a flattened substantially trapezoidal configuration, in which the broad end of the trapezoid is adjacent to and secured to the second end portion 30 of the conduit 22. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the brush assembly 24 is secured to the second end 30 of the conduit 22 by a brush securing means 34 in the form of a band 36. The band 36 has a diameter comparable with the diameter of the

second end portion 30 so that the bristles of the brush assembly 24 are held in place by the inward force applied by the band 36.

An upper surface of the upper set of bristles is arranged to be slightly convex, while a lower surface of the lower set of bristles is arranged to be substantially convex. The upper set of bristles is also arranged to be more densely confined by the band 36 than the lower set of bristles.

The lower set of bristles are oriented upwardly so as to receive a portion of nail polish fluid from the second end portion 30 of the conduit 22. When the brush assembly 24 is placed in contact with a subject's nail, the pressure exerted on the lower set of bristles distributes the nail polish fluid towards the upper set of bristles and a tip of the brush assembly 24 thereby promoting even distribution of the nail polish fluid thereon.

Referring to Figures 4a and 4b, the nail polish applicator 10 also includes a removable cap 12, arranged to receive the first end 11 of the applicator body 14 in which the brush assembly 24 is located. The removable cap 12 has an inner surface 126 with a diameter or cross section that is comparable to that of the applicator body 14, such that the removable cap 12 may be fitted over the first end 11 of the applicator body 14.

The removable cap 12 is optionally provided with a slot 132, the slot 132 being arranged to receive the arm portion of the button 70 upon placement of the removable cap 12 upon the applicator body 14, whereupon the button 70 is unable to be depressed when the removable cap 12 is so placed.

The removable cap 12 also includes a porous material 133 arranged inside the removable cap 12. The porous material 133 is arranged to substantially fill an interior

of the cap means 12. The porous material 133 may be provided with a recess 134 at the open end 122 of the removable cap 12 into which the brush assembly 24 is received. The porous material 133 is saturated in a solvent, which may be any chemical solvent suitable for dissolving the fluid held in the reservoir 18 but which will not damage the brush assembly 24 or any other component of the nail polish applicator 10.

The removable cap 12 is further provided with a sealing means 136. The sealing means 136 may be comprised of at least one protrusion 138 on an inner surface 126 of the removable cap 12 which is arranged to engage with the protruding ridge 19 of the tapered portion 15, such that when the removable cap 12 is placed onto the applicator body 14 a substantially hermetic seal is provided. Alternatively, any other suitable sealing means 136, such as a rubber o-ring seal may be employed.

In use, the nail polish applicator 10 is first shaken to agitate the ball bearings and thoroughly mix the fluid held within the reservoir 18. The removable cap 12 is then removed from the applicator body 14.

Upon removal of the removable cap 12 from the nail polish applicator 10, the button 70 is depressed to deform the diaphragm 62 of the diaphragm assembly 60 and increase pressure in the chamber portion 32 of the conduit 22. The increase in pressure first causes the first valve 51 to move to its closed configuration and then causes the second valve 53 to move to its open configuration. In this way, nail polish fluid is prevented from flowing from the reservoir 18 to the chamber portion 32, whilst nail polish fluid contained in the chamber portion 32 is forced by the increased pressure in the chamber portion 32 to flow to the brush assembly 24 through the

second end portion 30 of the conduit 22. The nail polish fluid may then be applied with the brush assembly 24 as conventionally known.

When the button 70 is released, the inherent upward force applied to the button 70 by the spring means 71 causes the circular washer 76 connected to the button 70 by the pin 74 to upwardly urge the upper surface 64 of the diaphragm 62 back to its original convex shape, thereby causing a decrease in pressure within the chamber portion 32.

The decrease in pressure first causes the second valve 53 to move to its closed configuration and then causes the first valve 51 to move to its open configuration. In this way, nail polish fluid is urged by the decreased pressure in the chamber portion 32 to flow from the reservoir 18 to the chamber portion 32, and to be contained therein for later application by the brush assembly 24 when the button 70 is depressed by an operator. The sealing means 80 will also translate along the length of reservoir 18 toward the proximal end 64 of the reservoir 18.

The removable cap 12 can be replaced onto the applicator body 14, thus preventing air contact with the brush assembly 24 and the residual fluid present thereon. In this manner, residual fluid on the brush assembly 24 is prevented from congealing and hardening upon the brush assembly 24. It is envisaged that residual fluid present on the brush assembly 24 will be removed by fabric wipes incorporating a suitable solvent.

Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.