US2524681A - Manicuring device or the like - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 3, 1950 v. D. RoosA 2,524,531

mxcuams nEvIcE on THE LIKE Filed June 16, 1948 :NVENmR rndn j. Z005@ ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 3, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MANICURING DEVICE 0R THE LIKE Vernon D. Roosa, Ardsley, N. Y.

Application June 16, 1948, Serial No. 33,408 9 claims. (ci. 1514o.2)

The present invention relates to manicuring devices and more particularly to a. manicuring device for removing coatings or coverings such as polish from fingernails.

Fingernail coatings or polishes are extensively utilized by women for imparting smooth finishes and attractive appearances to ngernails; some of these coatings or polishes are transparent and others are of various colors. In some cases a colored polish is first applied to the fingernails and thereafter an outermostv sealing" or protective coat is applied. The various coatings are generally applied in liquid form, by means of a brush, and dry to form a solidified covering over the outer surface of the nails. After application and solidiication the coatings or coverings are subject to chipping. Peeling, or

marring, which results in an unsightly appearance. In such instances it is frequently desirable to remove a coating or polish in order to apply a fresh one. Inother cases it may be desirable to remove a particular fingernail coating in order to apply a new coating of a diierent shade or color.

The nail coatings or coverings generally comprise a lacquer-like material and removal of them is facilitated by softening or dissolving them with some suitable solvent or remover liquid. Such a removal operation is often messy and accompanied by spilling of .solvent and the splattering or dripping of solvent and dissolved colored or clear coating material onto clothing, nearby furniture, rugs, or the like. Due to objectionable messiness and difficulty of removal many women prefer to laboriously peel the solidified coverings from their nails rather than go through the procedure of dissolving them and washing them away.

The present invention aims to overcome the above and other difiiculties or disadvantages by providing a new and improved manicuring device which may be used for readily and conveniently removing fingernail coatings with a minimum amount of trouble and without the objectionable messiness usually encountered with the removal operation.

An object of the present invention is to provide a. new and improved manicuring device for removing fingernail coatings.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved manicuring device for removing iingernail coatings without objectionablel splattering or spilling.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and Iimproved manicuring device ior use v adapted to retain a closure cap l having intery in removing coatings from fingernails while the finger is substantially enclosed or surrounded.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved manicuring device which combines a solvent supply with a coating-removing member.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved manicuring device adapted to accommodate displaced solvent.

Other and further `objects of the invention will be obvious upon an understanding of tl e illustrative embodiments about to be described, or will be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages not referred to herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention in practice.

A preferred embodiment of the invention and various modifications' thereof have been chosen for purposes of illustration and description. The preferred embodiment and the modifications are not intended to be exhaustive nor to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. They are chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and their application in practical use to therebyenable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodimentsand modifications as are best adapted to the particular use contemplated.

In the accompanying drawings,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing one form of container or hollow member which may be used with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a. top plan view, partly broken away, of the manicuring device shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 shows a modified form of cleaning element;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view showing another form of the present invention;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view illustrating a further form of the invention; and

Fig. 7 is a sectional view showing the present invention in the form of a closure or cover member.

Referring more particularly to Figs. l, 2 and 3 of the drawings there is shown a container, bottle,v receptacle, or hollow member I, preferably made of glass, and provided at its upper portion adjacent the mouth 3 thereof with screw closure engaging means 2, such as screw threads or lugs,

nally disposed complementary container engaging means 5 such as screw threads or lugs. The closure or cover member I may contain a. seal- `the receptacle I.

ing liner 'I adapted to seat against the container rim and seal it against leakage of fluids out of the container or hollow member I. While the container I is preferably made of glass any other suitable material, for example metal, may be utilized: the closure cap or cover 4 may be made from some synthetic molding material orbe formed from metal. The receptacle I contains a cleaning member or brush l.

The cleaning member 8, shown as of the brushlike variety comprising a plurality of twisted together wires forming a core for retaining scrubbing means such as bristles, has a portion or portions I projecting into the container I in such manner that it may be readiw -contracted by a ngernail on a nger inserted into the mouth opening of the container. One end portion Il of the cleaning member 8 is illustrated positioned beneath an inwardly extending side wall portion Il oi' the container, which forms what may be termed a ledge or shoulder, to thereby retain the brush-like member 8 in position in the container. An opposite leg portion or portions Il of the cleaning member may extend angularly from the first mentioned leg along the bottom of the container and terminate adjacent an opposite side wall. Thus the cleaning means has substantially an L shape when viewed from the side as in Fig. 3. As illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 the cleaning member or element is bent to be substantially U- shaped with the pair of spaced legs I4 each extending along the bottom of the container and with opposite brush or cleaning element portions extending upwardly to a point adjacent the underside of the inwardly extending container wall portion I3.

The lsubstantially horizontally extending leg portion or portions I4 assist in retaining the cleaning member within the container I. The free ends of the leg portions I4 terminating close to a wall portion of the container retain the upwardly extending vbrush portion in position beneath the inwardly extending container wall portion I3; thus the cleaning element is positively assembled against dropping out of the container.

A cleaning element 8 may be assembled with the hollow or concave member by first inserting the leg portion into the mouth 3 thereof and then turning the element so that the upper end II thereof moves or snaps outwardly beneath the container wall portion I3. Other methods of assembly may be utilized and the foregoing is illustrative of one convenient assembling method.

In assembled position with the container it will be noted (Fig. 2) that adjacent portions of the substantially U-shaped or reversely bent cleaning member illustrated therein cooperate to form a substantially V-shaped opening or recess I6 which faces inwardly toward the central part of A nger may be inserted into the mouth 3 of the receptacle to position the iingernail in the V-shaped groove I6; movement of the finger up and down along the cleaning element while in the groove I6 causes portions of the A cleaning element to reach and wipe over substantially all portions of the fingernail.

In usage the receptacle I will contain a suitable amount of liquid nail polish remover or solvent I'I. It has been found very satisfactory to iill the receptacle I approximately one-third full of liquid solvent or remover, to some such position as is indicated generally in Fig. 3. After some such quantity of solvent material has been placed in the receptacle the receptacle may be shaken to wet the cleaning element 8. As a fingernail is rubbed along the surface of the element, the con# bined action of the solvent and the rubbing of the element eiectively and quickly remove the polish or other coatings. The removing action is facilitated by inserting the finger and nail into the rccess or groove I8 (Fig. 2).

tacle may be agitated so as to eiiect washing and cleansing of the cleaning element 8 by liquid contained within the receptacle I. The liquid may thereafter be poured out or a closure cap 4 may be applied to seal the receptacle until such time as it is desired to again use the manicuring device.

It will be noted in Figs l, 2 and 3 that the sid..` wall of the container I is provided with a volumeincreasing shape or bulge I9. 'I'he utilization of such a volume-increasing portion has been found desirable since it minimizes the amount of rise ci liquid solvent or remover upon insertion of a linger into the liquid. Insertion of a nger displaces some of the liquid and the outwardly bulged portion I9 serves to accommodate the displaced liquid so as to minimize the amount of rise of the liquid to any objectionable extent. 'I'his feature minimizes the possibility of spilling or splattering the solvent. The volume-increasing portion I9 may extend annularly in a horizontal direction around the container or may slant or spiral around it. Use of the volume-increasing bulge I9 is not essential to the operation of the manicuring device but is desirable.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the upper vertical wall portion of the container is located inwardly with respect to the lower vertical wall portion I5 but this is not imperative. It is desirable that the cleaning member 8 be retained against accidental removal from the container; preferably it is held firmly. Other means and methods of retaining a cleaning element within a receptacle of the manicuring device will be hereinafter described.

In Fig. 4 there is shown a modified form of cleaning element or brush which differs from that of Figs. 2 and 3 in that it is essentially of double U-shape or M-shape. A brush of this latter construction affords a larger cleaning area against which a, fingernail may be rubbed. The assembly of the brush of Fig. 4 with a receptacle may be similar to that hereinabove described in connection with the assembly of the cleaning element 8 to the receptacle I. While the leg portions I4 and Ila of the cleaning elements are illustrated substantially parallel with each other they may be spread or flared apart in the event such is deemed to provide enhanced retention of the cleaning element with a container or receptacle.

In usage splattering or spraying of solvent and dissolved nail coverings is confined to the interior of the receptacle I. The finger of a user occupies a portion of the receptacle mouth opening and minimizes escape of solvent spray or droplets out of the mouth opening.

In the form of the manicuring device illustrated in Fig. 5 a cleaning element or brush 20 of substantially circular shape has portions thereof extending into a bulge or enlargement 22 in the wall of a receptacle 23. The cleaning member 20 thus occupies at least a portion of the volume-increasing enlargement provided by the bulge 22. An amount oi' liquid solvent or remover 25 may be contained at the lower portion of the receptacle and may wet the cleaning element 20 upon agitation of the receptacle. The finger of a user may be inserted into the opening of the cleaning element 20 and rubbed After the polish has y been removed from the fingers of a user the recepbulged portion 22 of the receptacle wall serves the double purpose of retaining the cleaning element 2li and also accommodating such liquid as may be displaced due to insertion of a iinger into liquid solvent material. y

The cleaning element 2l may be of closed circular form or of substantially C-shape and may' be assembled with the receptacle 23 by inserting it into the mouth 2| thereof and pressing it downwardly until portions expand outwardly into the enlargement 22. A closure member 4a carrying a sealing liner la may'be utilized to close the receptacle when not in use.

In Fig. 6 there is illustrateda form of the invention comprising a container or receptacle 23 having a dividing wall 29 forming two separate compartments 3l ,and 32. One compartment contains a cleaning member or brush 34 having an end portion 35 projecting beneath an edge or shoulder 3l which forms a recess 38. The lower end of the cleaning element 34 has a substantially horizontal leg portion 40 which extends along the lower part of the compartment 3| and terminates adjacent an upwardly extending wall portion. The cleaning member 34 may be assembled by moving the leg portion 40 and brush-like portion 34 downwardly into the container until the end portion 35 is in position to snap beneath the edge 3l or into the recess 38. The cleaning member 34 may thus be retained securely in position at all times with the container 28. In certain instances it might be desirable to have a, portion of the cleaning element 34 clip over a shorter dividing wall instead of engaging with the edge 31 and recess 38.

Polish remover or solvent may be contained in each of the compartments 3| and 32 or a polish remover may be contained, for example, in the compartment 3| and a rinsing solution in the compartment 32.

The volume-increasing bulge illustrated in connection with Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 5 may be utilized with either one or both of the compartments 3| and 32 illustrated in Fig. 6 and a `closure cap and sealing liner or gasket similar to that previously described may be utilized with the manicuring device of Fig. 6; any other suitable closer, such as a cork or plug type may of course be used.

A cooperating cleaning member projection 36 and retention recess 33, such as disclosed in Fig. 6, may be used to retain together in assembled relationship the cleaning elements and receptacles previously described and illustrated in Figs. l, 2, 3 and 5 and to be described in connection with Fig. 7.

In Fig. '7 the invention is shown in combination with a hollow member such as a closure cap or cover Amember 4l, which may be of some suitable synthetic plastic material or of metal, carrying a sealing gasket 42. A substantially annular cleaning element 43 similar to that of Fig. 5 is shown retained beneath an inwardly projecting shoulder, edge or lug 45 of the closure member; the cleaning element may be assembled with the closure 4I in a manner similar to that described in connection with the assembly together of the cleaning element and receptacle of Fig. 5. In usage an amount of liquid solvent may be poured into the inverted closure 4| and the manicuring device utilized as previously described. After usage the liquid may be poured out of the closure and the latter used for closing 6 the receptacle which contains the liquid solvent or remover.

While the receptacles or hollow members of the present manicuring device have been shown as substantially round their body portions may be square, ov'al, octagonal, etc.

It will be seen that the present invention provides a new and improved manicuring device which is adapted to hold a constant supply of soivent or polish remover. Splattering, dripping or other objectionable spilling of the solvent and dissolved coatings are minimized or entirely prevented. A volume-increasing enlargement further minimizes the possibility of spilling a liquid onto surrounding objects. The container and cleaning element are retained together against accidental disengagement and the manicuring device is ot simple and inexpensive construction.

As various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without sacrificing any of its advantages, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

l. A device for removing coating from fingernails, in-combination, a bottle having a bottom, a side wall portion, and a mouth portion having a substantially vertical axis generally perpendicular to said bottom, a shoulder inside the bottle formed in one of said portions, and cleaning means within said bottle comprising a relativelyv stiff core carrying laterally projecting yieldable scrubbing means, said cleaning means having a portion located under said shoulder and said scrubbing means projecting inwardly beyond aninner surface of said mouth to be engaged by the fingernail of a finger inserted into an opening through the mouth of the bottle, said cleaning means underlying a minor portion only of the opening through said mouth, leaving the major portion of said mouth opening directly over an unobstructed portion of said bottom.

2. A device for removing coating from fingernails, comprising a hollow member having a bottom, a side wall and a mouth suiciently `wide for free and unobstructed insertion and withdrawal of a finger and containing a liquid coating solvent for wetting a scrubbing-surface, in combination with a bendable elongated cleaning meansmounted in said hollo'w member having a total length greater than the height of said side wall but bent to iit therein and to terminate below the upper end of said mouth, said cleaning means having intermediate its ends laterally projecting means forming a scrubbing surface adjacent a side wall portion of the hollow member and facing generally toward the vertical axis of the hollow member for contacting and rubbing'against the surface of a fingernail on an inserted nger.

3. A device for removing coating from lingernails and adapted to contain a liquid coating solvent,y comprising the combination of a container having bottom and side walls, a mouth, a shoulder adjacent an upper portion of the side wall, and cleaning means in said container having a leg portion in engagement with a wall of the container and having an angularly disposed portion projecting from said leg portion, said angularly disposed portion carrying scrubbing means adapted to be wet by a liquid within the container and to be contacted by an inserted fingernail to wipe coating therefrom, part of said angularly disposed portion being located beneath said shoulder to retain the cleaning means A in the container, said cleaning means underlying,`

a minor portion only of an opening through said mouth, leaving the major portion of said mouth opening directly over an unobstructed portion of said bottom.

4. A device for removing coating from fingernails, comprising a container having a bottom, a side wall and a mouth sufficiently wide for unobstructed insertion and withdrawal of a iinger and for containing a liquid coating solvent, in combination with a cleaning means mounted in said container having a portion thereof located adjacent and extending along a side wall portion of the container, said cleaning means comprising a plurality of twisted together wires carrying laterally projecting bristles forming a scrubbing surface facing generally toward the vertical axis of the container for contacting and rubbing against the surface of a fingernail on an inserted linger, and means overlying an upper portion of the cleaning means and holding said cleaning means in the container, said bristles being adapted to be wet by said liquid from within the container.

5. A device for removing coating from fingernails and for containing a liquid coating solvent, comprising the combination of a container having a bottom wall, a side wall, a mouth, and a ledge joining said side wall and said mouth, and cleaning means in said container having a plurality of spaced apart legs with at least one of said legs in engagement with the bottom of the container, said legs being joined by a generally vertically disposed portion of substantially inverted ,U- shape, said U-shaped portion carrying brushlike means adapted to be wet by a liquid within the container and adapted to be contacted by the ilngernail of an inserted finger to wipe coating therefrom, said cleaning means having an upper portion beneath said ledge to retain the cleaning means in the container. i

6. A device for removing coating from ilngernails and for containing a liquid coating solvent, comprising the combination of a container having a bottom, a side wall, a mouth, and a ledge portion joining the side wall and mouth, and cleaning means in said container including a loop portion disposed at least partiallyv beneath said ledge portion to retain the cleaning means in the container and having a leg portion extending from said loop portion and resting against the container bottom, said loop portion carrying brushlike means adapted to be wet by liquid from within the container and adapted to be contacted by the fingernail o! an inserted finger to wipe coating therefrom.

7. A device for use in removing coating from fingernails comprising the combination of a bottle having walls forming a bottom, a body portion,

and a mouth, and a shoulder connecting an upper part of the body portion with a lower part of the mouth, said mouth being suillciently wide for unobstructed insertion and withdrawal of a finger, a brushlike member within said bottle comprising a plurality oi' wires twisted together with bristlelike members secured therebetween for at least a portion of the length of said wires, said twisted together wires having a reverse bend therein with portions forming legs extending from said bend and the legs being further bent into substantially L shape, with a portion of said brushlike member under the shoulder and portions of the L shape portions of said legs in engagement with one of said walls for holding the brushlike member in position.

8. A device for use in removing coating from fingernails, comprising the combination of a bottle having a body portion, a mouth, and a pair of vertically spaced horizontal walls, one of said walls forming a bottom and the other forming a shoulder connecting the mouth and the body portion, said mouth being suillciently wide for unobstructed insertion and withdrawal of a ilnger,

a brushlike member within said bottle comprising a plurality of wires twisted vtogether with bristlelike members secured therebetween for at least a portion of the length of said wires, said twisted together wires having a substantially L shape portion with one leg thereof extending substantially vertically and terminating at said bottom and the other leg extending substantially horizontally, a portion of one of said legs being disposed below said shoulder for holding the brushlike member in position.

9. A device as claimed as claim 1 in which said shoulder is an upper part of a groove and said cleaning means is seated within and extends along a portion of the groove.

VERNON D. ROOSA.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ille of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date D. 113,076 McKeen Jan. 24, 1939 30,270 Warren Oct. 2, 1880 204,625 Silsbee June 4, 1878 208,758 Newton Oct. 8, 1879 571,438 Harlow Nov. 17, 1896 1,582,008 Hammond Apr. 20, 1928 1,900,028 Snider Mar. '1, 1933 2,282,672 Nelson a May l2. 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 62,928 Germany Oct. 16, 1891

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