EP0260528A2

EP0260528A2 - Nail-polish dispenser and applicator device

Info

Publication number: EP0260528A2
Application number: EP87112776A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Claudio Giovagnoni
Original assignee: MIG 2 di Claudio Giovagnoni
Current assignee: MIG 2 di Claudio Giovagnoni
Priority date: 1986-09-18
Filing date: 1987-09-02
Publication date: 1988-03-23
Also published as: IT8603507A0; EP0260528A3; IT1200199B

Abstract

Device for dispensing and applying nail-polish comprising a tubular body (1) made of elastically deformable material. The body (1) is composed of a tank (2) for the polish and of a top portion (4) provided with a polish dispensing outlet (9). A row of bristles (10) adapted to spread the polish on the nails extends at one side of said dispensing outlet (9)

Description

The present invention relates to a nail-polish dispenser and applicator device.
As is known, polishes used in cosmetics to color the nails or make them shiny are usually contained in small jars provided with a closure which inwardly forms a small brush; by means of said brush, the polish is spread on the nails. The application of the polish with the brush is generally difficult and requires quite some time, since it is necessary to apply a thin and uniform layer of polish. Moreover, to carry the jars of polish in a bag is risky, due to their fragility.
Nail-polish dispensers have recently been proposed which are provided with a spreader felt pad which impregnates itself with the polish to be applied by virtue of the pressure exerted on the nail. Such dispensers, however, have turned out to be functional only with very liquid polishes which fulfil the required function only in a very limited manner.
The aim of the present invention is to eliminate the above described disadvantages by devising a device which allows to dispense and apply in a simple and rapid manner a thin layer of polish on the nails.
Within the scope of this aim, a further object of the invention is to provide a nail-polish dispenser which is simple in concept, easy and safe to transport, as well as relatively economical in cost so as to be convenient even when designed for a limited number of doses of polish.
This aim and this object are both achieved, according to the invention, by the present nail-polish dispenser and applicator device, comprising a tubular body composed of a tank for the polish and a top portion provided with a polish dispensing outlet, from one side whereof there extends a row of bristles adapted to spread said polish on nails.
The details of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the nail-polish dispenser and applicator device, illustrated only by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

figure 1 is a lateral sectional view of the device; and
figure 2 is a partial front view of the device.

With reference to the drawings, the nail-polish dispenser and applicator device is susbtantially composed of a tubular body 1 in plastic material composed of a nail-polish tank 2 in the shape of a truncated cone and having a substantially hemispherical bottom 3.
On top of the tank 2, the body 1 consists of a top portion 4 having a tapered portion 5 aligned with the axis of said tank.
The portion 5 is provided with a region 6 of coupling to the tank 2 consisting of two concentric cylindrical elements 7 and 8 between which the neck of the tank 2 is forcibly coupled; this coupling can be improved by means of a retention tooth or even with a metallic band closed after filling or the like, not illustrated here for the sake of clarity.
The portion 5 is axially provided with a small dispensing hole 9 from a side whereof extends a row of bristles 10 which have a direction parallel to the axis of the body 1 and are adapted to facilitate the uniform spreading of the polish on the nails.
Finally, a cap 11 in the shape of a nose cone and inwardly provided with an axial pin 12, adapted to be inserted in the hole 9, is adapted to be mounted on the portion 5.
As it is usual with paint containers in general, a small ball can be included in the tank 2 for a better mixing of the polish by shaking the body 1; in order to prevent the ball (not illustrated in the drawings) from obstructing the hole 9 a plurality of pins 13 are provided on the inner side of the portion 5.
A small cylindrical border 14 is provided on the outside of the base of the portion 5 whereto the inner mount 15 of the cap 11 performs a slightly forced sealing coupling advantageously by means of small tooth.
Inside the cap 11, small radial fins 16 can be provided, said fins being adapted to grip the outer surface of the portion 5. Advantageously, the cap can have its end flattened perpendicular to the longitudinal axis to provide a resting base for the dispenser. The portion 5 forms a monolithic structure with the bristles 10 and is obtained, like the cap, by molding plastic materials.
The operation of the described device is easily understoood. In fact, once the cap has been removed, a slight pressure exerted on 2 determines the dispensing of a drop of polish contained in the tank; this pumping action is allowed by manufacturing the body 1 in a flexible material such as slightly deformable plastic.
The drop of polish which leaves the hole 9 is deposited on the row of bristles 10 by means whereof it is then spread on the nail.
The row of bristles can be passed several times on the nail to provide a thin and uniform layer of polish.
It should be noted that the ball optionally provided inside the tank allows to perform a better mixing of the polish before its dispensing: besides this, the pin 12, by occluding the small hole 9, avoids the evaporation of the solvent.
The dispenser therefore allows to provide the intended amount of polish and to then easily perform its application without risks of spilling, stains or the like.
The releasing action of the tank, after the pressure exerted to dispense the polish, determines a counterpressure which returns the polish into the tank, preventing any losses.
Due to the low cost of the device the tank can be made to store a limited quantity of polish so as to allow frequent replacements in order to always have fresh polish which, as is known, tends to dry very easily.
In the practical embodiment of the invention, the materials employed, as well as the shapes and dimensions, can be any according to the requirements without thereby abandoning the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. Nail-polish dispenser and applicator device, characterized in that it comprises a tubular body (1) composed of a tank (2) for the polish and of a top portion (4) provided with a polish dispensing outlet (9), from one side whereof there extends a row of bristles (10) adapted to spread said polish on nails.

2. Dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that said top portion (4) has a tapered portion (5) which is provided with said polish dispensing outlet (9) arranged axially.

3. Dispenser according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises a cap (11) which is adapted to be sealingly mounted on said body (1) and is internally provided with a pin (12) adapted to be inserted in said polish dispensing outlet (9) to close it.

4. Dispenser, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said tapered portion (5) is provided with a plurality of axial fins (13) protruding from its internal surface.

5. Dispenser, according to claim 1, characterized in that said tubular body (1) is at least partically made of an elastically deformable material.

6. Dispenser, according to claim 1, characterized in that said tank (2) is removably associated to said top portion (4).