US20150034114A1

US20150034114A1 - Syringe attachment for cosmetics

Info

Publication number: US20150034114A1
Application number: US14/451,717
Authority: US
Inventors: Marlene Miles
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-08-05
Filing date: 2014-08-05
Publication date: 2015-02-05

Abstract

According to at least one exemplary embodiment, a syringe attachment is disclosed. The syringe attachment can include a base portion for coupling to a syringe, and a tip portion having a distal end with a narrow diameter. The tip portion may include a bend therein and may include brushes, bristles, or other attachments at the distal end thereof.

Description

BACKGROUND

Cosmetic fluids such as nail polish are typically provided in containers that are sealed with separable caps to which applicators are attached. Applying the cosmetic fluid requires the user to find a stable surface on which to rest the container. As the container is open to the environment when the cap is removed, there exists a risk of spillage of the cosmetic fluid therein. As a result, there also exists a high risk of damage to the surrounding area, as certain cosmetic fluids, such as nail polish, are difficult to remove. Moreover, as a result, typical cosmetic fluid containers are not usable in situations where the user is on the go, for example in a car passenger seat, train, or so forth, or simply in an area without a suitable resting surface. Consequently, users typically apply cosmetics at home or have them applied in a salon environment, and not on the go. Accordingly, a solution for easily, economically, and safely applying cosmetics in diverse locations is desired.

SUMMARY

According to at least one exemplary embodiment, a syringe attachment that facilitates the application of cosmetics may be described. The syringe attachment can include a base portion a threaded base portion sized that facilitates attachment to a syringe; a tip portion having a distal end with a narrow diameter; and an enclosed channel that facilitates the flow of liquid from the threaded base portion to the distal end of the tip portion.
In another exemplary embodiment, a method for application of cosmetics via a syringe may be described. The method can include inserting cosmetics into a syringe; configuring a syringe to have a tip portion with a distal end having a narrow diameter suitable for the application of cosmetics; actuating the syringe to release a quantity of cosmetics; and applying cosmetics using the distal end of the syringe.
Still another exemplary embodiment may describe a system for facilitating the application of cosmetics. The system can include a cosmetics applicator; a syringe attachment, the syringe attachment coupled to the cosmetics applicator at a distal end of a tip portion of the syringe attachment; and at least one syringe.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Advantages of embodiments of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments. The following detailed description should be considered in conjunction with the accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of a syringe attachment.

FIG. 2 shows a second exemplary embodiment of a syringe attachment.

FIG. 3 shows a third exemplary embodiment of a syringe attachment.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of a syringe attachment as engaged on a typical syringe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the invention are disclosed in the following description and related drawings directed to specific embodiments of the invention. Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spirit or the scope of the invention. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention. Further, to facilitate an understanding of the description discussion of several terms used herein follows.
As used herein, the word “exemplary” means “serving as an example, instance or illustration.” The embodiments described herein are not limiting, but rather are exemplary only. It should be understood that the described embodiment are not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Moreover, the terms “embodiments of the invention”, “embodiments” or “invention” do not require that all embodiments of the invention include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation.
Referring generally to FIGS. 1-3, and according to at least one exemplary embodiment, a syringe attachment is disclosed. Throughout the Figures, similar features of the various embodiments are referenced by like numerals, but with different leading digits.
The syringe attachment 100 may be formed from any desired material, for example plastic, which may be transparent or translucent. The syringe attachment 100 may include a base portion 102 adapted to couple to a standard syringe tip. The base portion may be sized and shaped to couple with a standard syringe tip, for example by friction fit. In some embodiments, the base portion 102 may include internal or external threads 104 so as to threadably couple to a syringe tip. In further exemplary embodiments, any coupling between the base portion and a syringe tip may be contemplated and provided as desired. Base portion 102 may further include a pair of flared portions 106, which can facilitate gripping or twisting syringe attachment 100.
The syringe attachment 100 may further include a tip portion 108 extending from base portion 102. Tip portion 108 may have a proximal end 110 and a distal end 112. Proximal end 110 may be disposed concentrically with base portion 102 and may be in communication therewith. A bend 114 may be disposed between proximal end 110 and distal end 112 such that distal end is disposed at an angle of between 90° and 180° with respect to proximal end 110. Such a bend 114 may offer numerous advantages; for example, it may allow a user greater control over the quantity and placement of cosmetics applied.
In some exemplary embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1, tip portion 108 may be formed integrally with base portion 102. Tip portion 108 may also taper from proximal end 110 towards distal end 112 such that the diameter of distal end 112 is substantially less than the diameter of proximal end 110. The diameter of proximal end 112 may further be less than the diameter of base portion 102.
In other exemplary embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2, tip portion 208 may be formed separately from base portion 202 and coupled thereto. For example, tip portion 208 may be formed from a metal tube. In such embodiments, tip portion 208 may include a bend 214 but may be of substantially constant diameter between the proximal end 210 and the distal end 212 thereof.
Syringe attachment 100 may enclose a channel, which may extend between an aperture located at the end of base portion 102 and an aperture located at distal end 112. Consequently, liquid may flow through the channel from base portion 102 and through distal end 112.
In some exemplary embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1, disposed at distal end 112 may be a brush 116. Brush 116 may be made from any desired natural or synthetic material. Brush 116 may be disposed within the aperture of distal end 112. A portion of brush 116 may be located within the channel of syringe attachment 100, while another portion of brush 116 may be located external to syringe attachment 100. In other exemplary embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2, distal end 212 may terminate in an aperture without attachments. In yet other exemplary embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of bristles 318, for example microfiber bristles, may be disposed at distal end 312.
In yet further exemplary embodiments, the distal end of the tip portion may be configured as desired with various attachments and shapes. For example, the distal end may be provided as a flattened portion with an aperture in the form of a slit, or may be provided with various brushes, bristles, sponges, other cosmetics applicators, or other materials and structures known in the art that enable syringe attachment 100 to function as described herein. According to an exemplary embodiment, the distal end of the tip portion may be modular and may include a connector capable of supporting a variety of brushes, bristles, sponges, or other devices. The connector may be such that it facilitates coupling or attachment to such devices. Such an embodiment may allow the structure on the distal end to be freely modified by the user, as desired; for example, the user may initially affix a brush attachment to the distal end, and later choose to remove the brush attachment and affix a sponge. This may allow a user to configure the distal end of the tip portion with the attachment or shape they desire.
As shown in exemplary FIG. 4, in operation, a user may attach a desired embodiment of syringe attachment, for example syringe attachment 100, onto a typical syringe 400. The syringe attachment 100 may be threadably coupled to the syringe tip 402 or otherwise attached as desired. The syringe 400 may be filled with nail polish, lacquer, or any other desired cosmetic fluid. The user may then position the distal tip of the syringe attachment proximate a fingernail or any other desired portion of the body and subsequently depress the plunger of the syringe 400 so as to force the cosmetic fluid through the syringe attachment and on to the desired portion of the body. The brush, bristles, or other attachment at the distal end may then be used to spread the cosmetic fluid as desired. This can allow the user to achieve a desired cosmetic effect with precision and accuracy while minimizing the potential for spillage and accidents.
In some exemplary embodiments, the various embodiments of syringe attachments 100/200/300 as shown herein, may have any additional desired embodiments of the syringe attachments, and any number of syringes may be provided as a set or a kit. This can allow the user to fill various syringes with diverse cosmetic fluids and attach the various embodiments of the syringe attachments to the syringes as desired. A case may be provided that can facilitate carrying the set of syringe attachments and syringes, thus allowing the user to easily apply cosmetics while on the go and in any desired location.
The foregoing description and accompanying figures illustrate the principles, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of the invention. However, the invention should not be construed as being limited to the particular embodiments discussed above. Additional variations of the embodiments discussed above will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.
Therefore, the above-described embodiments should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that variations to those embodiments can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A syringe attachment for facilitating the application of cosmetics, the syringe attachment comprising:

a threaded base portion sized that facilitates attachment to a syringe;

a tip portion having a distal end with a narrow diameter; and

an enclosed channel that facilitates the flow of liquid from the threaded base portion to the distal end of the tip portion.

2. The syringe attachment of claim 1, wherein the tip portion is of substantially uniform diameter.

3. The syringe attachment of claim 1, wherein the tip portion has a proximal end of larger diameter than the distal end and tapers from the proximal end to the distal end.

4. The syringe attachment of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the tip portion is flat.

5. The syringe attachment of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the tip portion includes a cosmetics applicator.

6. The syringe attachment of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the tip portion includes a connector facilitating the attachment of a distal structure.

7. The syringe attachment of claim 1, wherein the tip portion is integrally formed with the base portion.

8. The syringe attachment of claim 1, wherein the tip portion bends at a predetermined angle.

9. The syringe attachment of claim 8, wherein the tip portion bends at an angle between 90° and 180° along an axis substantially parallel to the initial direction of the enclosed channel at the proximal end of the tip portion.

10. The syringe attachment of claim 1, wherein the syringe attachment includes at least one flared portion connected to the base portion.

11. A method for application of cosmetics via a syringe, the method comprising:

inserting cosmetics into a syringe;

configuring a syringe to have a tip portion with a distal end having a narrow diameter suitable for the application of cosmetics;

actuating the syringe to release a quantity of cosmetics; and

applying cosmetics using the distal end of the syringe.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the distal end of the tip portion of the syringe includes a cosmetics applicator chosen from the group consisting of brushes, bristles, and sponges.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the distal end of the tip portion of the syringe includes a connector facilitating the attachment of a distal structure.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the syringe is configured to have a tip portion that bends at an angle between 90° and 180° along an axis substantially parallel to the initial direction of the enclosed channel at the proximal end of the tip portion.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the tip portion of the syringe is removably attached to the remainder of the syringe.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the tip portion of the syringe includes at least one flared portion of sufficient size to accommodate a user's thumb or forefinger.

17. The method of claim 11, further comprising refilling the syringe with cosmetics.

18. A system for facilitating the application of cosmetics, comprising:

a cosmetics applicator;

a syringe attachment, the syringe attachment coupled to the cosmetics applicator at a distal end of a tip portion of the syringe attachment; and

at least one syringe.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the cosmetics applicator is at least one of a brush, bristles, and a sponge.

20. The system of claim 19, further comprising a case, this case having storage compartments sized to hold at least one syringe attachment, at least one syringe, and at least one container of cosmetic fluid.