Abstract:
The claimed invention relates to a nail pen for nail varnish application along a distal perimeter portion of a nail. The claimed invention obviates certain problems associated with the process of applying nail varnish onto the distal-only perimeter of a nail by presenting an apparatus and/or means for applying nail varnish in a controlled, uniform manner along the distal perimeter of a nail. The claimed invention provides a controlled means of disseminating a uniform strip of nail varnish along the distal perimeter of a nail. This desirable outcome is effectuated even for different varnish residue thicknesses and/or varnish colors. Also provided is a nail varnish applicator with a channel made from an impermeable material.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Priority is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/905,539, filed on Oct. 15, 2010, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/279,798, filed Oct. 26, 2009. This application also claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application ______ filed on Jun. 3 2014. The disclosures of all these applications are incorporated for all purposes herein by reference as if fully stated here. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The claimed invention obviates certain problems associated with the process of applying nail varnish onto a distal perimeter region of a nail. By way of a non-limiting example, a beautician-assisted or self-administered French manicure procedure may involve the application of varnish, or similar type of nail polish substance, exclusively along a uniform and dimensionally-consistent distal-most region of a nail. Without the use of the apparatus and/or method of the claimed invention, it is possible for the nail varnish to be spread unevenly onto the distal perimeter of a nail due to the shaking of the hand of the individual applying the nail varnish. Due to the fast-hardening chemical characteristics of nail varnish, any imperfections or inconsistencies with the distribution of nail varnish on the distal perimeter of the nail will become bound to the nail surface. The correction of any minor imperfection or inconsistency with the distribution of nail varnish would not be able to be fixed without the removal of any or all of the nail varnish applied to that distal outer perimeter. The present invention obviates this dilemma by presenting an apparatus and/or means for applying nail varnish in a controlled, uniform manner along the distal perimeter of a nail with significantly fewer imperfections or inconsistencies with the distribution of nail varnish on the distal nail perimeter. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The claimed invention relates to an apparatus and/or means for nail varnish application along a distal perimeter portion of a nail. The claimed invention provides a controlled means of disseminating a uniform strip of nail varnish along the distal perimeter of a nail. This desirable outcome is produced by limiting the portion of the nail surface that contacts the nail varnish applicator; only a fixed length relative to the distal tip of the nail onto which nail varnish is applied is in contact with the nail varnish applicator. Because of the fixed-length-relationship between the distal tip of a nail and the horizontal thickness of the nail varnish applicator, the resulting strip of nail varnish on the distal portion of the nail is uniform and consistent. A nail guide portion adjoins an edge of a nail, and the nail guide portion limits and directs (based upon the outer contour of the nail) the direction and extent of contact made by the varnish applicator with the surface layer of the distal-most region of the nail. The nail guide portion allows the varnish applicator to render an aesthetically smooth and consistent-seeming layer of varnish residue on the surface layer of the distal portion of the nail. 
         [0004]    The claimed invention also provides for alternative nail varnish applicator horizontal thicknesses, varnish colors, and/or material compositions. While different users may utilize the claimed invention to produce different preferred horizontal thicknesses, varnish colors, and/or material compositions, the claimed invention will still produce the same level of consistency and control during its respective use. 
         [0005]    Provided is a nail pen for varnish application comprising: a. a body that allows for holding the nail pen; b. a varnish reservoir; c, an applicator attached to the body in fluid communication with the reservoir for transferring varnish to the nail, the applicator having a first end for receiving the varnish from the reservoir and a second end for applying the varnish, the first end and the second end in fluid communication with each other, the applicator made from non-permeable material that limits the varnish from entering or leaving the applicator exclusively from the first end and the second end, the applicator of a suitable size for applying a French manicure; wherein the nail pen is used for applying a French manicure. The first end can be directly attached to the body. The nail guide can be in proximity to the second end adapted for contact with a portion of a nail to guide the nail pen for application of a French manicure. The nail guide can be detachable. The nail guide can be a ring for attaching the detachable nail guide to the nail pen. The nail guide can be non-detachable. The nail guide can be straight. The nail guide can bend towards the applicator at an angle. The nail guide can have a straight and a bent portion, the straight portion attached to the body and being substantially parallel to the applicator body (direction of channel inside the body) and perpendicular to the applicator tip, and the bent portion bending towards the applicator. The second opening can be formed by two edges running parallel to each other. The second opening can be formed by two edges that are diameters of two identical semi-circles that are mirror reflections of each other and have a concave shape. The second opening can have a length of about 1 mm to about 1 cm. The nail pen can further comprise an actuator for pushing through the varnish. The applicator can be of a suitable size to apply a French so manicure of a length of about 2 mm to about 1 cm. 
         [0006]    Provided is a nail pen for varnish application comprising: a top portion that allows for holding the nail pen; a bottom portion comprising a detachable nail guide incapable of holding varnish adapted for contact with a portion of a nail; a varnish applicator capable of holding varnish adapted for transferring varnish onto said nail, wherein the nail pen is used to apply a French manicure. The nail pen can further comprise having a nail guide with a ring for attaching the detachable nail guide to the nail pen. The nail guide can bend towards the applicator at an angle. The nail guide can have a straight and a bent portion, the straight portion attached to the body and being substantially parallel to the applicator body and perpendicular to the applicator tip, and the bent portion bending towards the applicator. The French manicure can be length of 0.2 to 0.8 mm. The nail pen can comprise an actuator for pushing through the varnish. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2A  illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary use of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention during application to a nail. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2B  illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary use of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention subsequent to application to a nail. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3A  illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary bottom portion of the present invention with an exemplary flat-end varnish applicator. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3B  illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary bottom portion of the present invention with an exemplary brush-end varnish applicator. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  illustrates a nail pen with a bent nail guide. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5A  illustrates a bent nail guide that is detachable 
           [0014]      FIG. 5B  illustrates a straight nail guide that is detachable. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5C  illustrates a nail pen for receiving a detachable nail guide. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5D  illustrates the nail pen of  FIG. 5C  with the nail guide of  FIG. 5B . 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  illustrates a nail pen with an actuator button and an applicator that is impermeable and has an opening that allows varnish to leave. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  illustrates a nail pen with an actuator button and an applicator that is impermeable and has an opening that allows varnish to leave. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  illustrates a nail pen with an actuator button and an applicator that is impermeable and has an opening that allows varnish to leave, with a straight nail guide. 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  illustrates a nail pen with an actuator button and an applicator that is impermeable and has an opening that allows varnish to leave, with a bent nail guide. 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  illustrates a profile view of an applicator tip. 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  illustrates a front view of n applicator tip. 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  illustrates a perspective view of the applicator tip. 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  illustrates a fluid communication inside a nail pen. 
           [0025]      FIG. 14  illustrates a nail pen. 
       
    
    
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       [0026]    The reference numerals below are labels for the different elements as used in the drawings and are not intended to serve as a full description of each element or limit its scope of equivalent elements. 
         [0027]      2 —top portion 
         [0028]      4 —bottom portion 
         [0029]      6 —top end 
         [0030]      8 —bottom end 
         [0031]      10 —nail guide portion 
         [0032]      12 —nail guide surface 
         [0033]      14 —varnish applicator 
         [0034]      15 —varnish residue 
         [0035]      16 —varnish applicator bottom 
         [0036]      16 ′—flat end varnish applicator 
         [0037]      16 ″—brush-end varnish applicator 
         [0038]      18 —finger 
         [0039]      20 —nail 
         [0040]      22 —nail tip 
         [0041]      23 —nail guide bent portion 
         [0042]      24 —actuator 
         [0043]      25 —impermeable applicator 
         [0044]      26 —applicator tip 
         [0045]      27 —Opening 
         [0046]      28 —Channel 
         [0047]      29 —varnish 
         [0048]      30 —bent detachable nail guide 
         [0049]      31 —straight detachable nail guide 
         [0050]      32 —complementary receiving unit 
         [0051]      33 —Body (containing reservoir) 
         [0052]      34 —reservoir 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0053]    With reference to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 A, and  2 B, an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention comprises a top portion  2  and a bottom portion  4 . The top portion  2  comprises a top end  6  at a top, first end, and is connected at the opposite, second end to a bottom portion  4 . 
         [0054]    Continuing with reference to  FIGS. 1   2 A, and  2 B, an exemplary shape of the top portion  2  and the bottom portion  4  is an exemplary cylinder-like shape adapted for gripping by a hand. While the depicted exemplary embodiment is substantially cylindrical, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that depiction and reference to such an exemplary lengths of and shapes of the aforementioned top portion  2  and bottom portion  4  are merely illustrative and not a limitation of the claimed inventions; other lengths of and shape of the aforementioned elements could be used without departing from the spirit of the claimed invention. For example, the top portion  2  may comprise of indentations adapted for gripping by one or more fingers of a hand. 
         [0055]    Continuing with reference to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 A, and  2 B, an exemplary embodiment of the bottom portion  4  comprises an exemplary nail guide portion  10  and an exemplary varnish applicator  14 . The exemplary nail guide portion  10  comprises a hardened material with a nail guide surface  12  that is adapted for contact with a nail tip  22  of a nail  20 . In the exemplary embodiments depicted, the longitudinal dimension of the claimed invention is maintained in a substantially perpendicular orientation with respect to the longitudinal dimension of the finger  18 . The nail tip  22  is moved laterally towards the nail guide surface  12  until the nail  20  is in contact with the nail guide surface  12 . Alternatively, the apparatus of the claimed invention may be moved laterally towards the nail tip  22 . The claimed invention is than depressed downwards until the varnish applicator bottom  16  of the varnish applicator  14  contacts the top surface of the nail tip  22  of a nail  20 . Upon contact by the varnish applicator with the nail  20  surface, varnish residue  15  is emitted from the varnish applicator bottom  16  onto the nail  20  surface. Thereafter, the user of the claimed invention moves the varnish applicator  14  from one side of the nail tip  22  to a second side of the nail lip  22  while the nail guide surface  12  maintains contact with the nail tip  22 . While reference is made herein to the arrangement, juxtaposition, orientation, and/or movement, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that depiction and reference to such an exemplary arrangement, juxtaposition, orientation, and/or movement of the aforementioned elements are merely illustrative and not a limitation of the claimed invention; other arrangement, juxtaposition, orientation, and/or movement of the aforementioned elements could be used without departing from the spirit of the claimed invention. 
         [0056]    With reference to  FIGS. 2A ,  2 B, and  3 A, an exemplary embodiment of a varnish applicator  14  comprises a flat-end varnish applicator  16 ′. This exemplary embodiment of the varnish applicator  14  comprises an exemplary shape of a rectangular prism, whereby the exemplary flat-end varnish applicator  16 ′ makes surface contact with the top surface of the nail  20  and transfers varnish onto the top surface of the nail tip  22 . The material composition of the flat-end varnish applicator  16 ′ may comprise a solitary, substantially-rigid, micro-porous material or a plurality of semi-malleable, longitudinally-aligned brush fibers. While reference is made herein to the material composition, three-dimensional shape, and/or bottom-surface orientation, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that depiction and reference to such an exemplary material composition, three-dimensional shape, and/or bottom-surface orientation of the aforementioned elements are merely illustrative and not a limitation of the claimed invention; other material composition, three-dimensional shape, and/or bottom-surface orientation of the aforementioned elements could be used without departing from the spirit of the claimed invention. 
         [0057]    With reference to  FIGS. 2A ,  2 B and  3 B, an alternative exemplary embodiment of a varnish applicator  14  comprises a brush-end varnish applicator  16 ″. This exemplary embodiment of the varnish applicator  14  comprises an exemplary shape of a cylindrical prism composed substantially of substantially-thin, soft, semi-rigid brush fibers, whereby the exemplary brush-end varnish applicator  16 ″ makes surface contact with the top surface of the nail  20  and transfers varnish residue  15  onto the top surface of the nail tip  22 . While reference is made herein to the material composition, three-dimensional shape, and/or bottom-surface orientation, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that depiction and reference to such an exemplary material composition, three-dimensional shape, and/or bottom-surface orientation of the aforementioned elements are merely illustrative and not a limitation of the claimed invention; other material composition, three-dimensional shape, and/or bottom-surface orientation of the aforementioned elements could be used without departing from the spirit of the claimed invention. 
         [0058]    With reference to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 A,  2 B,  3 A and  3 B, the exemplary varnish residue  15  transferred by the varnish applicator  14  may comprise any single color, texture, gloss, and/or supplemental blend (e.g., varnish with glitters) or any combination of one or more of the aforementioned color, texture, gloss, and/or supplemental blend. It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that depiction and reference to such an exemplary varnish composition, of the aforementioned elements are merely illustrative and not a limitation of the claimed invention; other varnish composition could be used without departing from the spirit of the claimed invention. 
         [0059]    Continuing with reference to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 A,  2 B,  3 A and  3 B, the exemplary varnish applicator  14  may be of various horizontal or vertical dimensions, based upon the preferences of the user of the claimed invention, Where a particular user of the claimed invention desires the horizontal thickness of the varnish residue  15  on the nail tip  22  to be greater, that particular user may utilize a varnish applicator with longer vertical and/or horizontal dimensions, which may allow varnish residue  15  to disseminate to a greater total aggregate amount of surface area on the nail  20  or nail tip  22 . It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that depiction and reference to such an exemplary varnish applicator dimension(s) is/are merely illustrative and not a limitation of the claimed invention; other varnish applicator dimension(s) could be used without departing from the spirit of the claimed invention. 
         [0060]    It will be understood by someone of ordinary skill in the arts that either the guide portion  10  and/or the varnish applicator  14  may be removable, disconnect-/reconnect-enabled, interchangeable, and/or replaceable with the same or alternative exemplary embodiment (shown or not shown here); other guide portions and/or nail varnish applicator with alternative dimensions, thicknesses, and/or interior contours may be used without departing from the spirit of the claimed invention. 
         [0061]      FIG. 4  illustrates a nail pen with a guide  10  that is bent  23  at an angle towards a user&#39;s nail, The bottom portion of the guide  23  points downward and toward the user and the applicator  14 , at an angle of approximately 20 to 50 degrees. A user would touch her nail to the lower portion  23  of the guide, which has an angle. 
         [0062]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate a detachable guide  30 ,  31  that can be attached to a nail pen. The detachable guide in  FIGS. 5A and 5B  can have a hollow ring that slide into the bottom of the nail pen in a complementary region ( 32  as illustrated in  FIG. 5C ) in such manner that the guide is positioned next to the applicator.  FIG. 5D  illustrates the guide of  FIG. 5B  (a ring with the guide portion attached thereto) in position on the nail pen where the guide is positioned next to the applicator. 
         [0063]      FIG. 6  illustrates a nail pen with an actuator button ( 24 ). This actuator button ( 24 ) can be used to push varnish though the varnish reservoir in the nail pen body ( 33 ).  FIG. 6  also illustrates a nail pain where a unique applicator ( 25 ) is used to apply varnish ( 29 ). In this embodiment, varnish is guided to come out only from the applicator tip ( 26 ). The sides of the varnish applicator ( 25 ) are not permeable, and contain the varnish inside the applicator ( 25 ). The tip of the varnish applicator ( 26 ) can be shaped like to semi-circles, where the diameter of the semi-circle forms the bottom the tip. and the gap between the two semi-circled tip allows varnish to leave the reservoir and be applied to a nail. 
         [0064]      FIG. 7  illustrates a nail pen that is similar to the nail pen of  FIG. 6  except that the applicator tip ( 26 ) is made from two flat rather than circular parts. The detachable guides  5 A and  5 B can be placed on the nail pen illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
         [0065]      FIG. 8  illustrates the nail pen of  FIG. 7  with a guide. Varnish is applied through the bottom opening ( 27 ) in the nail pen which is formed by two parallel edges. The nail of a user would be pressed against the guide ( 10 ), and the nail tip would apply the varnish to the nail at a substantially perpendicular position.  FIG. 9  illustrates the nail pen of  FIG. 7  with a guide that is bent ( 23 ) at the bottom. 
         [0066]      FIGS. 10 ,  11 , and  12  illustrate the various views of the varnish applicator ( 2 ) with a first end and a second end that are in fluid communication with each other. A channel for movement of varnish exists inside the applicator. The varnish comes out of a gap or opening formed from two parallel edges running along each other. The width of this gap can be about 0.2 mm to about 03 mm, such as about 0.5 mm. The length of this gap or opening which corresponds to each edge can be about 1 mm to about 1 cm, such as about 1 mm to about 5 mm, such as about 1.5 mm to about 3.5 mm, such as about 2.0 mm. Other lengths suitable for application of a French manicure to a natural nail can also be used. 
         [0067]      FIG. 13  illustrates fluid communication of a nail pen. An actuator ( 24 ) can push varnish out of the reservoir ( 34 ) to the applicator tip ( 26 ) which in this embodiment is shown with a channel ( 28 ) and an impermeable wall. In addition, the channel ( 25 ) and/or the gap at the tip of the applicator can include micropores which can impede the free flow of the varnish. The micropores can be made from a permeable material placed inside the applicator tip, such as a sponge or formed in the same impermeable material that makes up the applicator tip. 
         [0068]      FIG. 14  illustrates another nail pen for attaching a detachable nail guide ( 30 ) ( 31 ).