US20110108046A1

US20110108046A1 - Nail polish carrier

Info

Publication number: US20110108046A1
Application number: US12/942,661
Authority: US
Inventors: Alicia C. Horton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-11-10
Filing date: 2010-11-09
Publication date: 2011-05-12

Abstract

The nail polish carrier includes a container body containing manicure liquid. A hollow neck is detachably mounted to the container body at one end and includes an integrated applicator at that end. The applicator includes a brush for the user to apply manicure liquid to the user's nails. A cap is detachably mounted to the opposite end of the neck and includes a through hole at a distal end for a key ring. The opposite proximal end of the cap includes a dipstick with a sharp, spongy tip. The hollow interior of the neck contains manicure liquid remover that the user may use to touch up or completely remove manicure liquid from the user's nails. The container body may include a plurality of colored decorations matching and indicating the color of the manicure liquid.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/272,842, filed Nov. 10, 2009.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to cosmetic devices, and more specifically to a portable and convenient nail polish carrier for applying and removing nail polish.
2. Description of the Related Art
Maintaining a presentable appearance is important in most social and business interactions. As such, the nail polish and nail polish remover are essential elements in the normal repertoire of cosmetics most modern women use to maintain their beauty and appearance.
Generally, the nail polish remover and the nail polish are packaged in separate bottles or containers. The nail polish remover contains a solution for removing nail polish or manicure liquid from the user's nails and typically requires a separate applicator or cotton balls to swab the intended nail. It is also used to touch up any mistakes or imperfections in the application of a nail polish but a deft hand is needed to obtain the desired result, especially when using cotton balls. The nail polish remover typically comes in a relatively large bottle containing the removing solution or liquid. On the other hand, the nail polish typically comes in a compact bottle having a reservoir containing manicure liquid of various colors and a cap with an integrated applicator or brush for painting the user's nails. While the compact size of the nail polish allows for convenient storage and portability, the same is not true for a proper treatment of a user's nails due to having to include the nail polish remover and the associated applicator. Apart from beauty cosmeticians, most modern women or users would not have spare room to carry both in their bag or carry all, or it is extremely inconvenient to facilitate. Thus, it would be a benefit in the art to provide a convenient and portable manicure device that allows application and removal of manicure liquid in a single device.
Thus a nail polish carrier solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The nail polish carrier includes a container body containing manicure liquid. A hollow neck is detachably mounted to the container body at one end and includes an integrated applicator at that end. The applicator includes a brush for the user to apply manicure liquid to the user's nails. A cap is detachably mounted to the opposite end of the neck and includes a through hole at a distal end for a key ring. The opposite proximal end of the cap includes a dipstick with a sharp, spongy tip. The hollow interior of the neck contains manicure liquid remover that the user may use to touch up or completely remove manicure liquid from the user's nails. The container body may include a plurality of colored decorations matching and indicating the color of the manicure liquid.
These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a nail polish carrier according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the nail polish carrier according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the nail polish carrier according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a section view taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an environmental perspective view of the nail polish carrier according to the present invention, shown being used to remove nail polish.

FIG. 6 is an environmental perspective view of nail polish carrier according to the present invention, shown being used to apply nail polish.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to a nail polish carrier, generally referred to in the drawings by reference number 10, integrating both application and removal of nail polish or manicure media or liquid in a single device for a proper manicure. Referring to FIGS. 1-4, the nail polish carrier 10 includes a main body 20, a neck 30 detachably mounted to the main body 20, and a cap 40 detachably mounted to the neck 30. The main body 20 may be a hollow container in the shape of a “genie” bottle with a base 22 for placement on a secure surface and an interior chamber 24 for holding a predetermined quantity of nail polish, manicure media or manicure liquid 25 of a given color and/or pattern, e.g., sparkles, swirls, etc. The main body 20 may be made from plastic, acrylic or glass and translucent or transparent so as to easily determine the manicure liquid 25 content. As an alternative, the main body 20 may have matching color and/or pattern indicative of the color and/or pattern of manicure liquid 25. Along the same lines, the main body 20 may include a plurality of decorations 26 having a matching color or pattern. The decoration 26 may be colored and/or patterned stones, chips or any other fanciful and purposeful protrusions, indentions or appliqués. As a further alternative, the shape of the main body 20 is not limited to a “genie” bottle but may include a variety of different shapes.
The neck 30 may be a substantially elongate, hollow cylinder body or tube 32 having an open, distal end with threading 36 and a closed, proximal end with a depending applicator, dipstick or rod 34 integral therewith. The applicator 34 includes a brush 35 that the user selectively dips into the manicure liquid 25 to apply the same onto the user's nails N. The closed end of the neck 30 includes interior threading 33 that cooperate with threading 28 on the main body 20 to securely close the open end of the main body 20. The hollow interior 38 of the neck 30 includes a predetermined quantity of removing solution or liquid 31 (e.g., nail polish remover) for removing manicure media 25 on the user's nail N. As with the main body 20, the neck 30 may be made from plastic, acrylic or glass; transparent or translucent; and/or colored and/or patterned.
To facilitate manicure media removal, the nail polish carrier 10 includes a cap 40 detachably mounted to the open, distal end of the neck 30. The cap 40 may be a dome-topped cylindrical body 42 having interior threading 41 cooperating with threading 36 on the neck 30 to securely close the open end of the neck 30. An integral applicator, dipstick or rod 44 is concentrically disposed and depends from the proximal end of the cap 40. The dipstick 44 includes a relatively sharp, wedge-shaped sponge tip 45 that the user may use to dip and apply removing solution 31 to the intended nail N for touch ups or complete removal of manicure media 25. The wedge-shaped tip 45 allows more precision in application of the removing solution due to the relatively sharp edge providing finer lines of removal. Moreover, the dipstick 44 and/or tip 45 may be replaceable. The cap 40 may also include a through hole 46 for an O-ring or attaching link 47 whereby the user may carry the nail polish carrier 10 as a charm (as shown as an example in FIG. 1) or as a key chain. As with the main body 20, the cap 40 may be made from plastic, acrylic or glass; transparent or translucent; and/or colored and/or patterned.
With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the following describes how the invention is used. Referring to FIG. 5, when the user desires to remove nail polish or manicure media 25 from the user's nails N, the user unscrews the cap 40 to detach the cap 40 from the nail polish carrier 10 to expose the dipstick 44 and the tip 45. Since the tip 45 is saturated with removing solution 31, the user simply grasps the cap 40 and applies the removing solution 31 on the desired areas of the nail N. More solution 31 may be used as needed by repeatedly dipping the dipstick 44 into the interior 38 of the neck 30 to re-saturate the tip 45.
Referring to FIG. 6, when the user desires to apply nail polish or manicure media 25 to the user's nails N, the user unscrews the neck 30 to detach the neck 30 from the nail polish carrier 10 to expose the applicator 34 and the brush 35. Note that the cap 40 is secured to the neck 30 and both serve as a handle for the user to apply nail polish 25. Since the brush 35 is saturated with nail polish or manicure media 25, the user simply grasps the neck 30 and applies the nail polish 25 on the desired areas of the nail N. More nail polish 25 may be used as needed by repeatedly dipping the applicator 34 into the interior 24 of the main body 20 to re-saturate the brush 35.
Thus, it can be seen that the nail polish carrier 10 is a compact, convenient all-purpose manicure set for the user. The nail polish carrier 10 includes all the features required to perform basic manicure in a compact, single device eliminating the need to carry separate cosmetics for similar benefit.
It is to be noted that the nail polish carrier 10 encompasses a variety of alternatives. For example, although plastic, acrylics or glass may be used to make the nail polish carrier 10, other materials such as wood, steel and composites may also be used depending on durability characteristics, style and/or aesthetic appeal. Instead of threading, the nail polish carrier 10 may use secure snap-fit type fasteners or other fastening means to detachably mount the main body 20, neck 30 and the cap 40 to each other. In all instances, the fasteners should be proof against leakages from the contents inside the main body 20 and the neck 30. In addition, the nail polish carrier 10 may include indicia for advertising or personal messaging.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A nail polish carrier, comprising:

a hollow, main body having a base for placement on a work surface, the hollow body defining an interior chamber adapted for holding a quantity of manicure media;

an elongated, hollow neck detachably mounted to the main body, the neck having a closed first end and an open second end, the first end having a depending manicure media applicator extending into the interior chamber of the main body, the neck defining an interior chamber adapted for holding manicure removing media;

an end cap detachably mounted to the neck at the open end of the neck, the end cap having a depending applicator extending into the interior chamber of the neck;

a ring detachably mounted to the end cap adapted for selective attachment to keys and charms; and

means for selective, detachable fastening of the main body, neck and end cap to each other;

wherein a user may use the applicator on the neck to selectively apply manicure media on the user's nails and the applicator on the end cap to selectively remove manicure on the user's nails.

2. The nail polish carrier according to claim 1, wherein the main body further comprises a plurality of decorations having a matching color pattern.

3. The nail polish carrier according to claim 1, wherein said means for selective, detachable fastening comprises cooperating externally and internally threaded members between said main body and said neck, and between said neck and said end cap.

4. The nail polish carrier according to claim 1, further comprising:

a predetermined quantity of removing solution in the interior chamber of said elongated, hollow neck; and

a predetermined quantity of manicure media in the interior chamber of said carrier main body.

5. The nail polish carrier according to claim 1, wherein a section of said main body defines parallel concave outer walls joining a bottom convex outer wall to form a “genie” bottle shape.

6. The nail polish carrier according to claim 1, wherein said end cap depending applicator includes a sharply defined, wedge-shaped sponge tip for touchup and complete removal of manicure media from the user's nails.