ucsU Ki r S S U rs
DEVICE FOR APPLYING NAIL VARNISH
The present invention relates to a device for applying nail varnish of the type as recited in the preamble of Claim 1 .
Various devices for applying nail varnish are known in the prior art.
The most usual devices for applying nail varnish consist of a glass bottle with a cap to which a small brush is integrally connected.
Said small brush can be dipped in the nail varnish and then used to apply the nail varnish to the finger or toe nails.
The prior art solution described above has several significant drawbacks.
In particular, applying the nail varnish is a slow and complex operation.
Not everyone finds the small brush easy to handle and smudging, build-ups and areas of incomplete coverage may occur.
Owing to said build-ups, drying is a very long process that takes more than five minutes, during which it is hardly possible to use one's hands.
Attempts have been made to overcome the drawbacks mentioned above by developing brushes provided with a reservoir containing nail varnish and a tip in the form of a brush with bristles.
However, said device does not overcome the drawbacks of brushes and, in addition, in order to avoid problems of transpiration and drying, it must be used with acrylic-based nail varnishes, which do not have the required resistance.
In this situation the technical purpose of the present invention is to devise a device for applying nail varnish that substantially overcomes the drawbacks mentioned above.
Within the sphere of said technical purpose one important aim of the invention is to
provide a device for applying nail varnish that is simple to use.
Another important aim of the invention is to provide a device for applying nail varnish that is precise,
A further important aim of the invention is to provide a device for applying nail varnish whereby the nail varnish can be applied and dried quickly.
The technical purpose and specified aims are achieved with a device for applying nail varnish as claimed in the appended Claim 1 .
Preferred embodiments are described in the dependent claims.
The characteristics and advantages of the invention are clearly evident from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig, 1 shows a longitudinal median cross-section of the device for applying nail varnish according to the invention;
Fig, 2 is an exploded and longitudinal median cross-sectional view of the device for applying nail varnish according to the invention;
Fig. 3a is a portion of the device for applying nail varnish according to the invention in a first configuration;
Fig. 3b is a portion of the device for applying nail varnish according to the invention in a second configuration; and
Fig. 4 shows an exploded axonometric view of the device for applying nail varnish according to the invention.
With reference to the Figures, reference numeral 1 globally denotes the device for applying nail varnish according to the invention.
It is suitable for applying nail varnish 2 for example to a surface, such as for example the outer surface of the finger or toe nails. Said nail varnish 2 has a
viscosity, or fluidity, preferably comprised between 5 cps and 90 cps and more preferably between 15 and 40 cps (1 cps = 1 mPa s). Said nail varnish 2 preferably comprises ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, acrylate copolymers. More preferably, said nail varnish further comprises: nitrocellulose, acetyl tributyl citrate, sucrose benzoate, isopropyi alcohol, sucrose acetate isobutyrate, cyclopentasiloxane, benzophenone~3, polysilicone-6, alcohol denat, perfiuorodecaiin.
According to a preferred formulation, the nail varnish 2 preferably comprises colloid, preferably in a liquid state, plasticiser, preferably in a liquid state, solvent, in a liquid state, and pigments in a semi-liquid or paste or powder state.
In particular the pigments are added to a mixture following a pre-mixing step with pigments preferably comprised between 20% and 40% and more preferably between 25% and 35%, yet more preferably between 28% and 32%; plasticiser preferably comprised between 40% and 70%, and more preferably between 47% and 63%, yet more preferably between 53% and 57%; colloid preferably comprised between 10% and 20%, and more preferably between 12% and16%, yet more preferably between 13% and 15%.
Said mixture comprising the pigments is added to the nail varnish together with additional colloids, solvents and plasticisers.
In particular, the mixture comprising the pigments is present in amounts comprised between 10 and 15% in weight, and preferably around 12%. The solvents, preferably comprising butyl acetate - ethyl acetate, are present in weight in amounts comprised between 60% and 80% of the nail varnish, more preferably between 65% and 70%. The solvents, preferably comprising butyl acetate - ethyl acetate, are present in weight in amounts comprised between 60% and 80% of the
nail varnish, more preferably between 65% and 70%. The colloids preferably comprise nitrocellulose 18-25 CPS 70% isopropyl and/or ketonic resin, and are present in weight in amounts comprised between 10% and 20% of the nail varnish, more preferably between 13% and 18%. The plasticisers preferably comprise sucrose benzoate and/or tributyl O-acetyl citrate ATBC, and are present in weight in amounts comprised between 2% and 8% of the nail varnish, more preferably between 3% and 4%.
The device 1 preferably extends along a longitudinal direction 1a and comprises, in brief, a container 3 for the nail varnish 2, a tip 4 suitable to absorb the nail varnish 2 from the container 3, and a separation valve 5 suitable to be controlled to establish a fluid passage connection between the container 3 and the tip 4, The tip 4 has an internal portion 4b, arranged towards the inside of the container 3 and suitable to directly absorb the nail varnish 2, and an external portion 4a, suitable to apply said nail varnish 2 when it comes into contact with a surface and preferably when it is pressed against said surface. The tip 4 is preferably made of a polyester fibre composite material with polyurethane matrix. It preferably has a porosity comprised between 70% and 80%, more preferably between 73% and 75%. It also preferably has a flat linear upper surface perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 1 a.
Furthermore, said tip 4 has a more rigid consistency in the internal portion 4b, which gives said tip mechanical strength, and has a softer consistency in the external portion 4a, which gives it the necessary flexibility for application. It is formed as a single piece and has a diameter preferably comprised between 4 mm and 5 mm. The difference in rigidity is obtained by means of a greater amount of fibre, in the fibre-matrix compound, in the rigid portion and less in the soft portion.
The container 3 is preferably cylindrical and made of aluminium, or aluminium alloy, obtained by means of a drawing process. Said materia! is not chemically attacked by the nail varnish 2, with which the container remains in contact for a long time and, moreover, it does not transpire and so does not allow the nail varnish 2 to dry when not used.
!t comprises the nail varnish 2 and, preferably, shaking means 6 to shake the nail varnish 2, such as small spheres, for example two spheres made of steel with a diameter of between 6 and 8 mm.
The separation valve 5, is preferably normally closed and suitable to be opened when the tip 4 is pressed against a surface in the direction of the container 3.
It thus comprises elastic contrast means 50, preferably consisting of a steel coil spring, connected to the tip 4 and suitable to maintain the external portion 4a of said tip 4 outside the device 1 when no force is applied and to make said external portion 4a of the tip 4 retract when a force is applied.
The elastic contrast means 50 are connected to a fixed support 51 , preferably sustained by the upper edge of the container 3 and preferably comprising a first stop surface 51a, for the lower portion of the elastic contrast means 50, a support surface 51 , suitable to be locked to the upper surface of the container 3, and side openings 51c, suitable to maintain the fluid passage connection between the internal and external portions of said lower support 51 .
The elastic contrast means 50 are also connected to a movable support 52, which supports the tip 4, preferably the internal portion 4b, and moves therewith. If comprises a second stop surface 52a, for the upper portion of the elastic contrast means 50.
It further comprises a stem portion 52b, suitable to be inserted in a tubular portion
51 d, which is part of the fixed support 51 , in order to maintain the alignment of said movable support along the longitudinal axis 1 a.
Lastly, the separation valve 5 comprises a closing cap 63, suitable to integrally connect with the fixed support 51 , or alternatively with the container 3, and prevent the movable support 52 from moving away from the valve 5. For that purpose the closing cap 53 comprises a third stop surface 53a suitable in particular to come into contact with a conical surface 52c, which is part of the movable support 52. The valve 5 is held in place between said container 3 and an upper blocking member 7, suitable to be connected to the container 3 for example by means of a thread or similar mechanism. It further comprises a tubular portion 70, suitable to contain the tip 4 and to keep in aligned along the longitudinal axis 1 a.
The movable support 52, the fixed support 51 , the closing cap 53 and the upper blocking member 7 are preferably made of a polymeric material. These come into contact with the nail varnish 2 for a short time, compared to the container 3.
Lastly, the tip 4 comprises a small sponge 40, consisting of a ring-shaped element into which the tip 4 is inserted and is movable in relation thereto in the longitudinal direction 1 a. It is suitable to prevent said tip from coming out of the upper blocking element.
Lastly, the device 1 comprises a lid 8, suitable to prevent the tip 4 from coming into contact with the air, when closed, and to connect with the upper blocking member / .
The functioning of the device for applying nail varnish 1 described above in a structural sense, is as follows.
It is essentially used in the same way as an ordinary felt-tip pen containing paint. In particular, the user keeps the lid 8 closed when the device 1 is not being used.
To use the device 1 , the user shakes the device so that the shaking means 6 give the nail varnish 2 the right viscosity, removes the lid 8 and presses the tip 4 against a surface, such as a finger or toe nail to be painted.
Under the pushing action the elastic contrast means 50 are compressed and the normally closed valve 5 opens and establishes a fluid passage connection between the internal portion 4b of the tip 4 and the container 3.
Said pushing action opposing the elastic contrast means 50 does not deform the tip, because its internal portion 4b is more rigid. At the same time the external portion 4b of the tip 4, which comes into contact with the surface and in particular with the finger or toe nail, is deformed following the natural irregularities of said finger or toe nail so that the nail varnish is applied correctly and evenly.
The external portion 4b of the tip 4 is thus almost fully retracted within the tubular portion 70 of the upper blocking element 7. Meanwhile, owing to capillarity and through contact, the entire tip 4, including the external portion 4b, is filled with nail varnish.
The nail varnish 2 is thus transferred through contact to the nail.
The device for applying nail varnish 1 according to the invention achieves some important advantages.
!t is very easy to use, since it essentially consists of a felt-tip pen and not of a brush.
Thanks to the characteristics described herein, said device 1 allows the nail varnish to be applied evenly and correctly so that it dries faster.
Furthermore, owing to the formulation of the nail varnish it has the correct viscosity so that it can be used with the felt-tip pen and dries quickly. On the contrary, the nail varnishes normally used have a viscosity of between 200 and 300 cps and this
level of viscosity could prevent the correct operation of the valve mechanism.
Modifications and variations may be made to the invention described herein without departing from the scope of the inventive concept as defined in the claims. All details may be replaced with equivalent elements and the scope of the invention includes ail other materials, shapes and dimensions.