US3130734A

US3130734A - Fingernail coating device

Info

Publication number: US3130734A
Application number: US129272A
Authority: US
Inventors: Francis R Ellis; James D Mcvay
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1961-08-04
Filing date: 1961-08-04
Publication date: 1964-04-28
Anticipated expiration: 1981-04-28

Description

April 28, 1964 s TA 3,130,734

' 'FINGERNAIL CQATING DEVICE Filed Aug. 4, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS fRmvcls R. ELLIS JAMES D. Ma VAY HEAD & JaH/vso/v A TTORNEYS April 28, 1964 F. R. ELLlS ETAL 3,130,734

FINGERNAIL COATING DEVICE Filed Aug. 4, 1961 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS FRANCIS K ELLIS JAMES B MCVAY BY HEAD ap JaH/vsoN ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,130,734 FEJGERNAHL CQATING DEVICE Francis R. Ellis, 5433 S. Louisville, and James D. McVay, 4153 E. 37th, both of Tulsa, Gkla. Filed Aug. 4, 1961, Ser. No. 129,272 7 Claims. (Cl. 132-745) This invention is a fingernail sprayer. More particularly, the invention is a device adaptable for quick and simple applications of a color coating to fingernails and toenails.

It has been fashionable for many years for women to paint their fingernails and toenails. Ordinarily, this coloring process is accomplished by applying a coat of highly colored lacquer or other liquid finish to the nails with a brush. Such means of coloring the nails is very time consuming and applies a thick heavy coat of finish which easily chips and peels off.

Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide a means of spraying fingernails and toenails which replaces the heretofore used means of applying a colored finish with a brush.

Another object of this invention is to provide for the spraying of colored lacquer onto fingernails and toenails including means whereby the amount of spray is controlled in a quick, short duration discharge from a pressurized can.

Another object of this invention is to provide a fingernail and toenail sprayer including a stencil means formed in the end thereof to conform to varying sizes and shapes of nails by the mere application of pressure on the stencil.

Another object of this invention is to provide a fingernail sprayer including a stencil adaptable to conform to the size and shape of different nails wherein the stencil also serves as a cuticle edger.

Another object of this invention is to provide a fingernail sprayer which will be simple in construction, economical to manufacture and assemble and easy to use.

These and other objects and a better understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the following description and claims taken in conjunction with the attached drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side view of the fingernail sprayer of this invention as attached to a pressurized can.

FIGURE 2 is an end view of the fingernail sprayer of this invention showing the configuration of the stencil end.

FIGURE 3 is an end view of the fingernail sprayer of this invention showing the spray control means.

FIGURE 4 is a top view of the fingernail sprayer of this invention, shown partially in cross-section.

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 55 of FIGURE 4 showing the internal construction of the fingernail sprayer of this invention.

FIGURE 6 is an isometric view, shown partially in cross-section, of the fingernail sprayer of this invention 1n use.

FIGURE 7 is a view of the stencil end of the fingernail sprayer of this invention shown in cross-section preparatory to positioning against a nail.

FIGURE 8 is a view of the stencil end of the fingernail sprayer of this invention shown in cross-section as the stencil end is applied to conform to a larger nail.

This invention may be described as a device adaptable to use pressurized spray means for coloring fingernails. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, the invention may be described as: A fingernail sprayer adaptable for affixing to a pressurized can of liquid polish, said can having a depressible spray nozzle means by which contents of said can is discharged when said nozzle is depressed, comprising; a molded body member, said body member having an opening therein adaptable to receive 3,139,734 Patented Apr. 28, 1964 "Ice said spray nozzle, and said body member having an integrally formed tubular nozzle portion, said nozzle portion terminating in a stencil end portion adaptable to substantially conform to the outline shape of a fingernail; and means of removably afiixing said body member to said can.

Referring now to the drawings and first to FIGURE 1, the fingernail sprayer of this invention is indicated generally by the numeral 10. The fingernail sprayer 10 is adaptable for mounting on a pressurized can of polish 12. The polish in can 12 may be lacquer, quick drying enamel, or any other type of liquid which, when released from pressure, atomizes and upon contacting a surface forms a smooth, colored, quick drying film.

Fingernail sprayer 10 consists essentially of a molded body portion 14, a nozzle member 16, a stencil end 13 and a spray control wheel 20. Body portion 14 and nozzle 16 may be of a molded plastic, or molded metal construction. The construction of stencil end 18 will be described in more detail subsequently.

Referring to FIGURE 2, the end view of the stencil end 18 is shown. Stencil end 18 is formed of a pliable, flexible material, such as plastic, and is adaptable to expand when forced against a fingernail to conform to the nail. Stencil end 18 is integrally formed of a larger area portion 22 and a smaller area portion 24. The larger portion 22 of stencil end 18 is adaptable for spraying nails ranging in size from medium to large, whereas smaller area portion 24 is adaptable for spraying nails of medium down to small size.

Referring to FIGURE 3, the end view shows the relative positioning of spray control wheel 20 relative to body portion 14. An axis member 26 extends through body portion 14 to rotatably support spray control wheel 20. As is shown in FIGURE 5, spray control wheel 21) is of a star shaped configuration having integrally formed angular projections 28. Angular projections 28 extend to engage a depressible spray nozzle 30 formed in the top of can 12. Can 12 is of a typical commercially available type compress liquid spray container wherein the depression of spray nozzle 30 results in the ejection of a mist carrying gas from an orifice in spray nozzle 30. When spray control wheel 20 is rotated, angular projections 28 extend to engage the top of spray nozzle 30 to force spray nozzle 30 downwardly. As the rotation of spray control wheel 20 continues, projection 28 moves off the top of the spray nozzle 30, allowing it to spring upwardly to terminate the emission of mist laden gas.

Angular projection 28 also serves to facilitate the application of manual pressure to rotate spray control wheel 20. The thumb of the user (see FIGURE 6) is placed against one of the angular projections 28 on spray control Wheel 20 which extend through an opening 31 in body portion 14, and with a quick forward movement, spray nozzle 30 is quickly depressed and automatically released as one angular projection 28 passes against and then ofl? the top of the spray nozzle 30. This provides a means whereby a quick, short duration, burst of gas emission takes place to provide transfer of colored polish to a nail.

The provision of spray control wheel 20 provides a way in which the duration of spray may be more easily and accurately controlled. Pressure of the thumb against an angular projection 28 will quickly move nozzle 30 downwardly, and as soon as angular projection 28 slips off the top of nozzle 30, nozzle 30 will spring back upward. This provides a means of controlling the duration of spraying much more accurately than if the nozzle 30 is manually depressed and then released. Such a manual action requires a mental calculation of the time nozzle S il is depressed and will vary considerably according to the reaction time of the individual. By the principles of the spray control wheel 20, the operator, by the forward rotation of wheel 20 with one quick upward and forward pressure of the thumb against an angular projection 28, can, with substantial accuracy, duplicate repeatedly the length of time the spray nozzle 30 is depressed. This means that the design of a successful commercial fingernail sprayer utilizing the principles of this invention is more feasible in that the uncontrollable factor of the amount of time which an operator would manually depress spray nozzle 30 is eliminated.

Body portion 14 is molded so that it extends to a base nozzle area 32 which is tubular in cross-sectional configuration. Nozzle 16, although of an elongated configuration as shown in FIGURE 2, rat the stencil end 18 is formed so that rat the point where nozzle 16 engages base nozzle area 32 of body portion 14 it is of an equal crosssectional configuration. Nozzle 16 is formed so as to engage and adhere to base nozzle area 32 of body portion 14. One means of accomplishing this is shown in the cross-section of FIGURE 5. Base nozzle area 3 2 terminates in an inwardly slanted portion 34. Nozzle 16 terminates in an outwardly slanted portion 36 so that the inwardly slanted portion 34 and the outwardly slanted portion 36 will engage and conform to each other. By the exertion of manual pressure, nozzle 16 may be pulled from engagement with body portion 14 rotated, and refixed to 'body portion 14 by inwardly applied pressure. The requirement for the reversal of positioning of nozzle 16 relative to body portion 14 may be ascertained best by referring to FIGURE 2 and FIGURE 6.

As has previously been mentioned, stencil end 18 is formed with a larger area portion 22 and a smaller area portion 24. As is shown in FIGURE 6, the fingernail sprayer 19' is so constructed that the polish spray mist, generally indicated by the numeral 38, is directed primarily to the lower portion of nozzle 16. Thus, when it is desired to spray a relatively large nail, nozzle 16 will be positioned relative to body portion 14 so that the larger area portion 22 of stencil end 18 is turned downwardly. That is, in the direction of can 12 as shown in FIGURE 2. When it is desired to spray a relatively small nail, nozzle 16 will be disengaged from body portion 14 and rotated so that smaller area portion 24 is positioned downwardly or nearest to can 12. By the direction of spray mist 38 towards the lower area of nozzle 16, spraying polish beyond the end of the nail is minimized.

Stencil end 18 is uniquely formed according to the principles of this invention in a manner so that it is adaptable to receive and con-form to varying sizes of nails. As shown in FIGURE 4, stencil end 13 is composed of the tapered end 40 ot nozzle 16 and is surrounded by an elastic member 42. The tapered end 40 of stencil end 18 is provided with notches 44- Which may be described vasslits with stop holes, which are spaced about the circumference. Nozzle 16 is formed of a material, such as plastic, having inherent pliability. The reduced thickness of the tapered end 40- provides a high degree of flexibility of the material at the stencil end 18. This pliability permits stencil end 18 to expand and conform to a varying size of nails as the stencil end 1% is pressed against the nail. To insure accurate stencilling so that the polish will not be deposited on the area surrounding the nail, elastic member 42 surrounding tapered end 40 supplements the natural resiliency of the plastic material nozzle 16.

The function of notches 44 is best seen in FIGURE 7 and FIGURE 8. In the normal, non-use condition, the elastic member l2 keeps the circumference of the stencil end 13 reduced to a When the stencil end 18 is pressed against a large nail, the stencil end 1 8 expands, spreading notches 44 as shown in FIG- UR-E 8. Elastic member 42 serves to cover the area exposed by expanded notches 44 to prevent the sprayed polish from being deposited beyond the nail.

Operation l The use and application of the invention can best be discerned from FIGURE 6. FIGURE 6 discloses the fingernail sprayer 1t) affixed to can 12 as held in the hand 46 of a user of the invention. The other hand 48, which is positioned to receive the application of a coat of polish to nails 56, is shown supported against a bracket 52. Bracket 52 is equipped with flanges 5'4 integrally formed therewith and extending in a spaced parallel re lationship to each other to receive a support, such as is afi'orded by a table top 56. Bracket 52 is inclined to provide a correct angle for ease or" application of a coat of polish to the nails of the user.

Affixed to the forward surface of bracket 52 is sponge rubber or foam plastic material 58. This material provides a soft cushion to receive the hand. Applying sprayer 10 against nail 56 with pressure forces the end of the finger 66 to depress into the sponge rubber material 58. This material 58 forms a protective cushion around the end of the finger 61) to receive and absorb tany polish which is discharged out of stencil end 18 which does not intersect the nail 56. To use the invention, the operator holds can 12 in one hand 46 with the thumb 62 positioned against an angular projection 2a of spray control wheel 26 and forces stencil end 18 against nail 5d. The operator then moves thumb 62 quickly forward which, by action of angular projection 28 of spray control wheel 20, torces spray nozzle 39 downwardly and discharges a spray mist 38 of polish. The fingernail sprayer It) is so designed that the configuration defined by the spray mist 38 at the stencil end 18 is sufiicient so that, at this point, a cross-sectional [area of the spray rnist 3 8 is substantially equal to the maximum size to which stencil end 1-8 would be expanded to receive the largest fingernail 5d.

The means in which the stencil end 13, as constructed according to the novel principles of this invention, is adaptable to conform to varying sized nails is shown best in FIGURES 7 and 8. FIGURE 7 shows the nozzle 1-6 and stencil end 1-8 adjacent a nail 50 preparatory to positioning the fingernail sprayer of the invention to impart a smooth coat of polish to the nail 5'6. In FIG- URE 7 the elastic member 4-2 has contacted the tapered end portion 45) of nozzle 16 to close notches 44 so that the cross-sectional configuration of the stencil end 18 is reduced to its minimum size.

FIGURE 8 shows the stencil end 18 as pressed against nail 50. The natural curvature of the nail 50 causes the stencil end 18 to expand outwardly in all directions to engage the cuticle 64 surrounding nail 5t}. Notches 44, in combination with the natural pliability of tapered end 40 of nozzle 16, expand to encompass the total area of nail 51). The pressure required to force the tapered end portion 41 of nozzle 16 outwardly, overcoming the restrictive force of elastic member 42, applies sufficient pressure against nail 50 to eltectively push the cuticle 64 surrounding nail 50 outwardly, substantially improving the appearance of the nail. At the same time, the stencil end 18 has outlined nail 5d and, with a short burst of spray mist 38, not shown in FIGURE 8, nail 50 will receive an attractive, thin and evenly applied protective coat of polish.

If nail 50 is a relatively small nail, so that in its normal most restrictive state as shown in FIGURE 7 the area of the stencil end 18 is still larger than the nail, then the nozzle 16 may be rotated relative to base nozzle area 32 of body portion 14 so that the small area portion 24, as best seen in FIGURE 2, is in a position to receive the spray mist 38. The means by which small area portion 24 of stencil end 13 conforms to the smaller nail is identical to the means whereby the larger area portion 22 conforms to a larger nail.

Body portion 14 is provided with integrally formed circular flanges 66 to pliably grip rim 68 of can 12 so that the fingernail sprayer may be easily removed from can 12 by a mere upward pressure, dislodging flanges 66 from around rim 68. It may be reinserted over rim 68 of a new can 12 at a mere downward pressure. Thus, the fingernail sprayer 10 may be used repeatedly as cans 12 of spray material are completely used and discarded.

When spraying a relatively small nail, some of the spray will inherently engage the interior sides of nozzle 16 adjacent stencil end 18. Since the spray material in can 12 will normally be of a rapid drying material, this liquid which does engage and adhere to the interior of nozzle 16 will not interfere with the use of the fingernail sprayer 10 for repeated spraying of nails. It will occasionally be required, after a long build up of polish to the interior of nozzle 16, to remove the accumulation as by submerging the nozzle portion 16 in a suitable solvent.

This invention provides a means whereby the nails of a person may be easily and quickly coated with a protective material to provide, not only protection, but beauty to the nails. By the ingenuity of the invention, the complete coloring of all of the nails of the hand may be accomplished in just a fraction of the time normally required by the onerous and tedious coloring of the nails with a brush. The coat of polish applied will be even, free of laps or brush marks, and much thinner. Thus, a more attractive finish will be applied to the nails which will be longer lasting and less apt to chip and become displeasing in appearance.

In this invention, only fingernails have been referred to, but of course, the device of this invention and the principles embodied herein may be equally applied to the coating of toenails. In this disclosure we have referred to polish which is intended to include any liquid capable of atomization desirable to be applied to nails.

Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is manifested that many changes may be made in the details of construction and the arrangement of components without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

What is claimed:

1. A fingernail sprayer comprising a pressurized can of liquid polish, said can having a depressible spray nozzle means by which contents of said can is discharged when said nozzle is depressed;

a molded body member, said body member having an opening therein adaptable to receive said spring nozzle, and said body member having an integrally formed substantially tubular nozzle portion, said nozzle portion terminating in a substantially tubular stencil end portion of resilient material having a multiplicity of slits therein, the slitted stencil end portion conformable to the outline shape of a fingernail when forced against a fingernail; and

means of removably aflixing said body member to said can.

2. A device according to claim 1 including means of controlling the discharge of contents from said can wherein said body member has a slot opening therein opposite from said nozzle portion, comprising a spray control wheel rotatably supported within said body member wherein the periphery of said spray control wheel is adjacent said depressible spray nozzle and said slot opening in said body member; and angular projections integrally formed on said spray control wheel, said angular projections disposed to project through said slot opening in said body member whereby said spray control wheel may be manually rotaed, and whereby said projections engage said depressible spray nozzle as said spray control wheel is rotated to depress said spray control nozzle to discharge contents from said can.

3. A fingernail spray device comprising a pressurized can of liquid polish, said can having a depressible spray nozzle by which contents of said can is discharged when said nozzle is depressed, and wherein said can has an integrally formed circular rim adjacent the top thereof, a molded body member, said body member having a circular can receiving opening therein adaptable to receive said spray nozzle and said circular rim of said can, said circular opening defined by an integrally formed inwardly extending flange portion adaptable to expandably grasp said rim of said can whereby said body member is removably affixed to said can, said body member having an integrally formed tubular base nozzle portion extending at substantially a right angle to the axis of said can receiving opening; and a tubular nozzle member having means at one end thereof whereby said nozzle may be removably affixed to the end of said base nozzle portion to act as an extension of said base nozzle portion, said nozzle terminating at the other end thereof by a conformable stencil end portion adpatable to substantially conform by the application of force to the outline shape of a fingernail.

4. A fingernail sprayer according to claim 3 wherein said stencil end portion terminates in a configuration having an expandable small nail area and an expandable large nail area diametrically opposed to each other, and wherein said nozzle member may be afiixed to said base nozzle portion in two different symmetrical alignments whereby in one alignment the contents discharged from said can when said spray nozzle is depressed engages primarily said small nail area and whereby in the alternate alignment the contents discharged from said can when said spray nozzle is depressed engages primarily said large nail area.

5. A device according to claim 3 including means of controlling the discharge of contents from said can wherein said body member has a slot opening therein opposite from said nozzle portion, comprising a spray control wheel rotatably supported within said body member wherein the periphery of said spray control wheel is adjacent said depressible spray nozzle and said slot opening in said body member; and angular projections integrally formed on said spray control wheel, said angular projections disposed to project through said slot opening in said body member whereby said spray control Wheel may be manually rotated, and whereby said projections engage said depressible spray nozzle as said spray control Wheel is rotated to depress said spray control nozzle to discharge contents from said can.

6. A fingernail sprayer according to claim 3 wherein said stencil end is formed with notches therein, said notches formed substantially in planes of the tubular axis of said nozzle member, whereby said notches expand to increase width as said stencil end is forced against to conform to larger fingernails.

7. A fingernail sprayer according to claim 6 including an elastic member disposed around said stencil end whereby said notches formed in said stencil end are retained closed except when forced apart as said stencil end is forced against a nail.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,722,224 Blann Nov. 1, 1955 2,857,071 Kuehne Oct. 21, 1958 2,942,622 Hahn et al. June 28, 1960 2,964,220 Appel Dec. 13, 1960 3,007,613 Tygard Nov. 7, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS 807,659 Germany July 2, 1961

Claims

1. A FINGERNAIL SPRAYER COMPRISING A PRESSURIZED CAN OF LIQUID POLISH, SAID CAN HAVING A DEPRESSIBLE SPRAY NOZZLE MEANS BY WHICH CONTENTS OF SAID CAN IS DISCHARGED WHEN SAID NOZZLE IS DEPRESSED; A MOLDED BODY MEMBER, SAID BODY MEMBER HAVING AN OPENING THEREIN ADAPTABLE TO RECEIVE SAID SPRING NOZZLE, AND SAID BODY MEMBER HAVING AN INTEGRALLY FORMED SUBSTANTIALLY TUBULAR NOZZLE PORTION, SAID NOZZLE PORTION TERMINATING IN A SUBSTANTIALLY TUBULAR STENCIL END PORTION OF RESILIENT MATERIAL HAVING A MULTIPLICITY OF SLITS THEREIN, THE SLITTED STENCIL END PORTION CONFORMABLE TO THE OUTLINE SHAPE OF A FINGERNAIL WHEN FORCED AGAINST A FINGERNAIL; AND MEANS OF REMOVABLY AFFIXING SAID BODY MEMBER TO SAID CAN.