[0001] The subject matter of the present disclosure relates to aids for applying nail polish to the hands.

[0002] The application of nail polish to one's nails can present certain challenges.

For instance, one typically endeavors to complete the application of polish without allowing stray polish to contact surrounding items and surfaces, as it has a tendency to stain items and/or be difficult to remove. One must also endeavor not to tip over or otherwise allow the nail polish container to spill it contents. However, because one must frequently wet the nail polish brush, it is impractical (or in the case of a combined cap and applicator, impossible) to replace the nail polish container cap during the application process. Furthermore, placement of the nail polish container is preferably proximate to one's nails during the application process to ease the process and lessen the chance of errant polish. While in some situations placement of the container on a table or other flat surface is sufficient, in many other cases a user may be forced to place the polish container in an insecure location where it may be susceptible to spilling. [0002] Certain hand-based holders for nail polish containers have been previously proposed. Examples include U.S. Patent Application No. 13/862,583, entitled "Fingernail Polishing Device and Method of Use" and filed April 15, 2013, and U.S. Patent No.

2, 140,231, entitled "Finger Supported Holder for Nail Polish" and filed January 25, 1937. However, previous solutions have proven impractical for a number of reasons. For instance, nail polish containers vary widely in their size and shape, and many solutions fail to adequately accommodate such variations. Other solutions force the user to maintain an impractical hand position. Despite the widespread use of nail polish in light of the problems above, the lack of a commonly-available holding apparatus is indicative that an effective solution has not been previously realized.

[0005] The subject matter of the present disclosure is directed to overcoming, or at least reducing the effects of, one or more of the problems set forth above. [0006] Disclosed is holder that allows a user to dispose a nail polish container against the user's hand for ease of use when applying nail polish.

[0007] In an exemplary embodiment, the holder includes two finger ring portions, each having an opening slit, which accommodates various finger sizes. A crown is disposed above the finger rings and has an expandable opening configured to receive various sizes and shapes of nail polish containers.

[0008] The foregoing summary, preferred embodiments, and other aspects of the present disclosure will be best understood with reference to a detailed description of specific embodiments, which follows, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0009] Figure 1 A is a perspective view of an embodiment nail polish container holder.

[0010] Figure IB is front plan view of the embodiment of Figure 1 A.

[0011] Figure 1C is a side plan view of the embodiment of Figure 1 A.

[0012] Figure ID is a side plan cutaway view of the embodiment of Figure 1A dissected along the line shown in Figure 1C.

[0013] Figure IE is a top plan view of the embodiment of Figure 1 A.

[0014] Figure 2A is a perspective view of another embodiment having textured squeeze grips.

[0015] Figure 2B is a perspective magnified view of a textured squeeze grip of the embodiment of Figure 2A.

[0016] Figure 3 A is a top plan view of an embodiment. [0017] Figure 3B is a cutaway perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 3 A.

[0018] Figure 4 is a front view of embodiment configured to be affixed to a user's wrist or lower arm.

[0019] Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DESCRIPTION

[0020] Disclosed is a holding apparatus for nail polish containers that allows a user to position a nail polish container against one's hands so that application of the nail polish is made easier.

[0021] Figure 1 depicts an exemplary embodiment. Holder 101 has a first ring portion 102 and a second ring portion 103, each with an opening slit 104. The ring portions 102, 103 and slits 104 allow for an adjustable ring size that is easy to put on and remove from the hand. The holder may be donned in a variety of ways. For instance, it may be applied to the fingers of the wearer either aligning it with the opening slits 104 and pushing it directly down onto the fingers from above, by sliding it onto the fingers like a conventional ring, or by pushing it directly onto the fingers with the assistance of the optionally disclosed Squeeze Tabs 105, as further discussed below. A wearer may remove Holder 101 from the hand by grasping the holder and pulling directly up and off the hand.

[0022] Preferably, the shape of the ring portions 102, 103 is configured to allow the holder to be worn securely on the hand, without gripping it with the other hand. The thickness of the ring portions 102, 103 may be chosen to allow the wearer to grasp Holder 101 more securely by slightly squeezing the fingers together. The use of pliable material and the slit openings allow the ring to self-adjust to various finger sizes and shapes. [0023] In certain embodiments, squeeze tabs are disposed on the ring portions.

Specifically, optionally disposed on the outer surfaces of the respective ring portions are squeeze tabs 105. When pressure is applied to the squeeze tabs, the opening slits 104 expand to increase the diameter of the ring portions, allowing the user to more easily don the holder onto their fingers.

[0024] Crown 106 has an internal cavity formed therein (pictured in Figure ID) and an expandable opening to the cavity, which is configured to receive a nail polish container. Finger portions 102 and 103, as well as crown 106, are elements of a unified body formed from a substantially pliable material. For example, the holder may be formed from silicone, thermo-plastic elastomers or thermo-plastic rubbers. As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains, the holder can be effectively employed with the user's hand held in the air or resting on a surface. In the embodiment, the ring thickness serves to separate the fingers by a comfortable amount, deterring smudging. Optionally, in alternative embodiments (not shown) instead of forming the finger portions and crown as a unified body, the holder can be configured such that the crown may be attached or affixed to the finger portions by conventional means, including the use of suction cups, use of adhesive material, use of Velcro-like material, or by way of a tongue and groove, male-female plug, or any other known interlocking mechanism.

[0025] Figures IB and 1C are a front plan view and side plan view of holder 101, respectively. Figure ID depicts a side cutaway view along the line shown in Figure 1C.

Cavity 107 is configured to retain the nail polish container. Figure IE is a top plan view of holder 101. The nail polish container is inserted through slits 108 and is thereby retained for use. [0026] The disclosed holder presents several advantages. It is compact, portable and lightweight, allowing a user to keep it readily available. The form-fitting design of the finger portions accommodate significant variety in finger sizes among users. This also has the advantage that there is less of a need to produce various sizes, reducing manufacturing costs.

[0027] In certain embodiments, several crowns are used so as to allow a user to make use of multiple nail polishes at one time. [0028] The crown is configured to accommodate a wide range of nail polish containers of present in the market that have various shapes of base, sizes, brands, capacities, base dimensions, heights, widths, and angle of bottle. Exemplary base shapes of nail polish containers that can be accommodated by the crown include circular, square, quarter moon, oval, rectangular, triangular, and other jewel shapes. Exemplary sizes of nail polish containers that can be accommodated by the crown are mini, standard, and medium. Exemplary brands of nail polish containers that can be accommodated by the crown are Ulta, OPI, China Glaze, Nails Inc., PIXEL, Sally Beauty, Cover Girl, Sally Hansen, CND, Mineral Fusion, RUSH, ASP, Sephora, Revlon, Maybelline, NYC, Orly, Finger Paints, gelish, Nina, INM, Sinful Colors, Beauty Secrets, Cinapro, Seche,

American Classics, Beauty Secrets, Nail Savvy, and FUSE. Exemplary capacities of nail polish containers that can be accommodated by the crown include 0.17- 0.60 Fl. Oz. The foregoing are illustrative only. The flexible design of the crown can be configured so as to accommodate any base shape, capacity, shape, size, brand, base dimension, height, width, and angle of bottle.

[0029] Figure 2A depicts holder 201 as having squeeze tabs 202 that are textured.

Figure 2B is a close-up view of the texturing shown on squeeze tabs 202 in Figure 2A. [0030] While certain embodiments include two ring portions and a single crown, other variations are readily within the scope of the present disclosure. For instance, a single ring variation could be employed.

[0031] The crown is preferably configured so as to facilitate the retention of nail polish containers. For instance, contoured and tapered interior shapes accommodate various bottle circumferences, heights and shapes. Slits in the crown may be employed as an opening to the crown cavity. In certain embodiments, six slits are employed, though a single slit may also be employed. Single or multiple slits in the crown allow the bottle to be tipped as the volume of nail polish diminishes or to be tipped for on-the-go hand positions. In certain embodiments, the top of the crown is textured to add additional grip that helps hold the bottle in place. Similarly, the interior base of the crown cavity may or may not be textured to offer resistance to bottle when opening. [0032] Figure 3A depicts a top plan view of holder 301. Slits 302 accommodate the nail polish container. Figure 3B is a cutaway view of cavity 303 of holder 301. The interior of the crown base has nubs 303 that are designed to grip the nail polish container while holder 301 is on the hand, when the other hand is used to turn the cap while applying downward pressure.

[0033] With reference to Figure 4, in certain alternate embodiments a single ring portion can be configured to attach to a user's wrist or lower arm. Similar to certain other embodiments, holder 401 has crown 402 and ring portion 403. However, ring portion 403 is configured to fit around a user's wrist to accommodate the preferences of certain individuals.

[0034] The disclosed holder may be manufactured in a single color, with multiple colors, or a pattern. Various applied textures, including embossing and debossing, as well as smooth surfaces may be employed. Accessories such as a leash, a hanging device, a key chain clip or other custom-style elements may be included. In certain embodiments, scents are infused in the holder's material.

[0035] Although the disclosed subject matter has been described and illustrated with respect to embodiments thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that features of the disclosed embodiments can be combined, rearranged, etc., to produce additional embodiments within the scope of the invention, and that various other changes, omissions, and additions may be made therein and thereto, without parting from the spirit and scope of the present invention.