Tip for a nail polish applicator

Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to the field of all-in-one applicators for dispensing liquid nail polish.

Background of the invention

Nail polish is often supplied in small bottles and applied with a brush that is attached to the bottle's cap. To apply nail polish, the user removes the cap, dips the brush back into the polish, and wipes one side of the brush along the side of the neck of the nail polish bottle. When additional polish is needed, the user dips the brush back into the bottle of polish, wipes off one side of the brush, and again applies the polish on the brush to their nails. Application of nail polish in this manner requires the use of two hands and repeated trips to the bottle of nail polish. When applying polish to the user's own fingernails, this requires using the hand with recently applied polish, and risking contact with the bottle or nearby objects that may smear the recently applied polish. When this happens, the nail polish on the smeared nail must be removed and reapplied.

To solve the problem of being able to use only one hand, the inventor of US6530709 has developed an elongated, all-in-one applicator for dispensing and applying liquid nail polish. The applicator includes:

(a) an elongated, hollow, generally pen-shaped main housing having an aperture at one axial extremity;

(b) an elongated cartridge housing disposed within an upper portion of the main housing;

(c) at least one nail polish cartridge comprising a central chamber for holding a supply of liquid nail polish, the nail polish cartridge having a first, upper end and an opposite, second, lower end, the cartridge being disposable within the cartridge housing;

(d) a brush having a plurality of bristles for applying nail polish, each bristle having a first end mounted in the main housing and an opposite, second end which is a free end; (e) a mechanism for dispensing nail polish from the nail polish cartridge in increments, the nail polish dispensing mechanism having a first position in which nail polish is contained within the cartridge and is not dispensed, and a second position in which nail polish is dispensed from the cartridge through the housing aperture onto the brush; and

(f) a mechanism for controlling the discharge of nail polish from the nail polish cartridge onto the brush.

However, as this applicator is substantially larger than a traditional brush that is attached to the nail polish bottle's cap, there is an increased risk that the user will apply the nail polish on his or her skin.

GB2534275 discloses device for dispensing fluid, such as varnish, on a nail comprising a body housing, a reservoir, a nib at one end in fluid connection with the reservoir, and an actuator to permit a user to selectively force fluid to the nib. The nib includes a dispensing surface from which fluid is dispensed and a closed surface from which fluid is prevented from soiling the users skin. The dispensing surface may include any of: resiliently deformable, fibrous, cellular and/or absorbent materials. The device is suitable for painting the underside of a nail to paint the nails in a French manicure style. The dispensing surface might comprise a brush or sponge applicator. However, this device is not suitable for painting the upper side of a nail.

Description of the invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide an all-in-one applicator for dispensing and applying liquid nail polish that solves the above-mentioned problems.

A first aspect relates to a tip for a nail or toe polish applicator, comprising:

- a first end section adapted for releasably attachment to a housing of a nail or toe polish applicator;

- a second end section with a free tapered end configured to adapt to the shape of the proximal nail fold of a finger or toe; and

- a brush adapted for applying liquid nail polish onto a finger- or toenail; wherein said second end section forms a guide recess, preferably arched, adapted for receiving a finger- or toenail, preferably the upper side of said finger- or toenail; wherein a channel for liquid nail polish runs within said first and second end sections, wherein an inlet to said channel is positioned in said first section and wherein an outlet is positioned in said second section; wherein said outlet opens into said guide recess; wherein said brush extends within and along said guide recess, and ends at a position below and in front of said outlet.

The configuration of the tip prevents that the user will apply the nail polish on his or her skin. The first and second end sections may be releasably fastened to one another, but it is not a requisite. The bristles of the brush extend within and along the guide recess and ends at a position below and in front of said outlet. Thereby, a drop of polish leaving the outlet will fall on the upper face of the brush and distribute on the bristles. The bristles will, within the boundaries of the guide recess, distribute the polish on a user’s nail plate as the user moves, while gently pressing onto the nail plate, the tip from a position in contact with the proximal nail fold to the free end of the nail plate.

A second aspect relates to a tip for a nail or toe polish applicator, comprising:

- a first end section adapted for releasably attachment to a housing of a nail or toe polish applicator;

- a second end section with a free tapered end configured to adapt to the shape of the proximal nail fold of a finger or toe; and

- a brush having a plurality of bristles adapted for applying liquid nail polish onto a finger- or toenail; each of said bristles having a free part adapted for applying liquid nail polish onto a finger- or toenail, and a base part adapted for mounting said bristle; wherein said second end section forms a guide recess, preferably arched, adapted for receiving a finger- or toenail, preferably the upper side of said finger- or toenail; wherein a channel for liquid nail polish runs within said first and second end sections, wherein an inlet to said channel is positioned in said first section and wherein an outlet is positioned in said second section; wherein said outlet opens into said guide recess; wherein said brush extends within and along said guide recess, and ends at a position below and in front of said outlet; wherein said second end section comprises:

- an elongate base comprising a part of said channel for liquid nail polish and its outlet; and

- two wall sections spanning along each side of said base and made from an elastomeric material; wherein said base comprises a cavity in which said outlet of said channel opens.

In one or more embodiments, a part of said free part of said bristle is in contact with a part of said base, while the tip of said bristle will be free to receive a drop of liquid nail polish.

In one or more embodiments, the cavity has a maximum extension of 1/3 of the length of said base, preferably an extension of 1/100 to 1/5 of the length of said base.

Preferably, the first end section is relatively rigid (such as of metal, silver og gold plated metal, steel, stainless steel, or plastic, such as polyethylene or polypropylene). Thereby, it will be able to support the relatively elastic second end section.

In one or more embodiments, the second end section is made from an elastomeric material, e.g. silicone, EPDM, or rubber, preferably an elastomeric material inert to contact with liquid nail polish. Thereby, the second end section will be elastic and will have the needed flexibility to adapt to the shape of the lateral and proximal nail folds. The second end section may be provided in different sizes, depending on the user’s nail sizes or whether for toenails or fingernails. Hence, a tip kit may e.g. be provided with multiple second end sections that are adapted for releasably fastening to the first end section.

Preferably, the brush comprises a plurality of bristles. In one or more embodiments, the first end section comprises one or more cavities adapted for mounting one end of the bristles of the brush. In one or more embodiments, each of the first and second end sections comprises a connection part adapted for releasably connecting the two channel parts for the channel for liquid nail polish.

In one or more embodiments, the second end section comprises:

- an elongate base comprising a part of the channel for liquid nail polish and its outlet; and

- two wall sections spanning along each side of said base and made from an elastomeric material.

Preferably, the base comprises a cavity in which the outlet of the channel opens. This configuration allows for positioning a part of the bristles in contact with a part of the base, while the tip of the bristles will be free to receive a drop of polish. The base can thereby aid in controlling the bristles.

In one or more embodiments, the base comprises one or more cavities adapted for mounting bristles of the brush adapted for applying liquid nail polish onto a finger- or toenail.

A third aspect relates to a nail or toe polish applicator comprising a tip according to the present invention.

In one or more embodiments, the nail or toe polish applicator further comprises:

- a nail or toe polish cartridge adapted for being in liquid communication with the channel for liquid nail polish running within said first and second end sections;

- an elongated, hollow, generally pen-shaped main housing;

- an elongated cartridge housing configured to hold and support said nail or toe polish cartridge and to slide said cartridge in and out of the lumen of the main housing; and

- means adapted for dispensing nail or toe polish from the nail or toe polish cartridge, preferably in increments, and into said channel. In one or more embodiments, the means adapted for dispensing nail or toe polish from the nail or toe polish cartridge comprises a plunger or piston connected to a motor via a push rod.

In one or more embodiments, the system further comprises a motor control unit configured to control the speed of rotation of the motor.

As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from "about" or "approximately" one particular value and/or to "about" or "approximately" another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent "about", it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment.

It should be noted that embodiments and features described in the context of one of the aspects of the present invention also apply to the other aspects of the invention.

Brief description of the figures

Figure 1 shows a side view of a nail or toe polish applicator in accordance with various embodiments of the invention, where some of the parts are detached from one another;

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a tip in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

Figures 3 and 4 show end views of each end of a first end section of a tip in accordance with various embodiments of the invention; and

Figures 5 and 6 show end views of each end of a second end section of a tip in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. Detailed embodiments of the invention

Figure 1 shows a side view of a nail or toe polish applicator 100 in accordance with various embodiments of the invention, where some of the parts are detached from one another. The nail or toe polish applicator may have various configurations, and a nonlimiting example is shown in the following. The nail or toe polish applicator 100 comprises an elongated, hollow, generally pen-shaped main housing 200, an elongated cartridge housing 210 configured to hold and support a nail or toe polish cartridge 400 and to slide said nail or toe polish cartridge 400 in and out of the lumen of the main housing 200, and a tip 300. In Figure 1 , the cartridge housing 210 is shown in an extended position, from which the nail or toe polish cartridge 400 may be loaded into or unloaded from the cartridge housing 210. Different mechanisms may be used to release polish from the cartridge 400. As an example, a plunger/piston connected to a stepper motor via a push rod may be used.

Depending on the type of polish cartridge, the plunger may e.g. either a) squeeze a collapsible type polish cartridge, or b) push a displaceable wall at the rear end of a rigid type polish cartridge's hollow tubular body.

Figure 2 shows a tip 300 in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. The tip 300 comprises a first end section 310 adapted for releasably attachment to the cartridge housing 210, but in other embodiments, it may alternatively be directly attached to the main housing 200 of the nail or toe polish applicator 100. The tip 300 also comprises a second end section 310 with a free tapered end configured to adapt to the shape of the proximal nail fold of a finger or toe. The side edges of the tip 300 are configured to adapt to the shape of the lateral nail folds. Therefore, at least a part of the tip 300 must be flexible and made from an elastomeric material. The first 310 and second 320 end sections are releasably fastened to one another. The second end section 320 is the part that needs to be replaced the most as it may be smeared with dried polish. This configuration therefore allows for a cheaper replacement part. A channel for liquid nail polish (not shown) runs within the first 310 and second 320 end sections. An inlet 313 (Figure 4) to said channel is positioned in the first end section 310, and an outlet 324 (figures 2 and 5) is positioned in the second end section 320. The inlet 313 may be directly connected to the polish cartridge’s nozzle end (not shown) or indirectly through an adapter. Figures 3 and 4 show end views of each end of the first end section 310. As the first 310 and second 320 end sections are releasably fastened to each other, the channel formed therein needs to be divided in two sections. These two sections are connected by connection parts 311 (Figure 3) and 329 (Figure 6). In Figure 3, three cavities 312 are shown. These cavities serve for mounting the bristles (not shown) of a brush adapted for applying liquid nail polish onto a finger- or toenail. Furthermore, a protrusion 318 is shown, which is configured for supporting the second end section 320. In Figure 4, the opposing end of the first end section 310 is shown. Besides the inlet 313, a fastening means 318 is shown configured for releasably fastening the first end section 310 to the cartridge housing 210.

Figures 5 and 6 show end views of each end of a second end section 320 in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. The second end section 320 is shown comprising an elongate base 325 comprising a part of the channel for liquid nail polish and its outlet 324, and two wall sections 327, 328 spanning along each side of said base 325. The two wall sections 327, 328 are made from an elastomeric material to provide the needed flexibility to adapt to the shape of the lateral and proximal nail folds. The base 325 and the two wall sections 327, 328 together form a guide recess adapted for receiving a finger- or toenail. The outlet 324 opens into the guide recess via a cavity 326. Furthermore, the bristles of the beforementioned brush extends within and along the guide recess and ends at a position below and in front of said outlet. Thereby, a drop of polish leaving the outlet 324 will fall on the upper face of the brush and distribute on the bristles. The bristles will, within the boundaries of the base 325 and the two wall sections 327, 328 the distribute the polish on a user’s nail plate as the user moves, while gently pressing onto the nail plate, the tip from a position in contact with the proximal nail fold to the free end of the nail plate. If the user wishes a thicker layer of polish, he or she may apply e.g. two drops of polish on the upper face of the brush. The motor controller may be configured to secure that only one drop is released from the outlet 324 each time it is activated, e.g. by pressing a pushbutton. References

100 Nail or toe polish applicator

200 Main housing

210 Cartridge housing 300 Tip

310 First end section

311 Connection part

312 Cavity

313 Inlet 314 Protrusion

318 Fastening means 320 Second end section

324 Outlet

325 Base 326 Cavity

327 Wall section

328 Wall section

329 Connection part

400 Nail or toe polish cartridge