Abstract:
A multi purpose fluid container for an integrated makeup kit, particularly an integrated nail makeup kit, nail polish, a polish applicator brush, nail file, nail polish remover solvent, and nail polish remover pads are combined in a convenient size and shape for facile transport in a modestly sized purse or handbag, but which can quickly and easily be separated into a nail polish applicator bottle with brush, a nail file, and a jar containing a plurality of nail polish remover pads saturated with solvent. When separated, the bottles and jar can rest on a flat surface, or be readily held in one&#39;s hand, such that the bottles and jar can be used independently of each other, in any sequence or order, without danger of spillage or contamination, and the nail file can be utilized independently from the bottle and jar.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/976,496, filed Dec. 22, 2010, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/460,483, filed Jul. 20, 2009, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/035,204, filed Jan. 13, 2005, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention is directed to personal makeup products, and in particular, to an improved nail polish applicator. 
         [0003]    For many years women have purchased bottles of nail polish having a cap with brush wand, which enables them to colorize their nails in the convenience of their homes while also permitting them to take the bottle with them it in a purse or the like, for touch up as needed while outside the home. However, the proper application of nail polish for achieving a smooth, glossy finish, requires that all polish previously applied to the nails be fully removed. While at home, a woman will typically have a separate bottle of nail polish removing solvent and abrasive pads, amongst other tools for this purpose. 
         [0004]    Whereas carrying a nail polish bottle in a purse for touch up does not represent a significant inconvenience, having only the nail polish available for use outside the home limits the circumstances under which the polish can be effectively applied outside the home. Most women would not go to the trouble of placing a nail polish bottle, a polish remover bottle, and a package of removal pads into what in current times is frequently a very modestly sized purse. 
         [0005]    For many women, especially those who are outside the home for long periods during the day and must look their best throughout the day, the maintenance of perfectly defined, smooth, shiny nail coloring is an ongoing nuisance. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention, to provide a multi purpose fluid container for an integrated makeup kit, particularly an integrated nail makeup kit, wherein the nail polish, polish applicator brush, nail polish remover solvent, and nail polish remover pads are combined in a size and shape that is easily carried in a modestly sized purse or handbag, but which can quickly and easily be separated into a conventional nail polish applicator bottle with brush, and a jar containing a plurality of nail polish remover pads saturated with solvent. 
         [0007]    When separated, each of the bottle and jar can rest on a flat surface, or be readily held in one&#39;s hand, such that each can be used independently of the other, in any sequence or order, without danger of spillage or mutual contamination. 
         [0008]    In another embodiment, a removable nail file is incorporated into the multi purpose container. When the bottle and jar are separated, the nail file can be easily accessed and utilized independently from the bottle and jar, while the bottle and jar can be operated as described above. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is an elevation view of the integrated multi purpose bottle and makeup kit, in the fully closed condition as would be carried in a hand bag or the like; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a section view of the integrated multi purpose makeup kit in the fully closed condition corresponding to  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is an exploded section view of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  shows the separated bottles or jars each resting on a flat surface that facilitates independent use; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a section view of another embodiment of the multi purpose makeup kit in the fully closed condition; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is an exploded section view of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is an elevation view of another embodiment of the integrated multi purpose bottle and makeup kit with two separate nail polish containers; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a section view of the integrated multi purpose bottle and makeup kit of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 9A  is an exploded section view of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 9B  is an enlarged view showing the engagement of the nail polish containers and retainer in the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 7-9A ; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is an exploded section view of another embodiment of the integrated multi purpose bottle and makeup kit having a nail file disc. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0021]      FIGS. 1-4  show a multi purpose fluid container in the form of an integrated nail makeup kit comprising an upper container  10  and a lower container  12 , which define an upper chamber  14  and a lower chamber  16 , respectively. The upper container  10  would typically have a cylindrical sidewall  18  and a circular bottom wall  20  which fluidly isolates the upper chamber  14  and from the lower chamber  16 . The lower end or base of the upper container  10  at bottom wall  20  preferably has a flange or rim  22  with internal threads that mate with external threads on a neck  24  that extends from an annular shoulder at the periphery of the upper end of the lower container  12 . 
         [0022]    The upper container  10  has an access aperture  26  formed as a bore through an externally threaded neck  28  extending from the top wall. In the preferred product as marketed to consumers, the upper chamber  14  is substantially filled with one form of makeup fluid  30 , in particular, nail polish. The lower chamber  16  holds a different form of makeup that would be used in conjunction with the makeup in the upper chamber. In particular, the lower chamber holds a plurality of pads  36  saturated with any conventional solvent for nail polish. The lower container  12  preferably has a substantially cylindrical sidewall  32  and flat circular bottom wall  34 . The top need not have an upper wall, but rather is preferably open. The bottom wall  20  of the upper container  10  completes the encapsulation of the chamber  16  and thus maintains fluid isolation between chambers  14  and  16  when the upper and lower containers are secured together at the threaded interface  22 ,  24 . 
         [0023]    Because the solvent in the lower chamber  16  is typically highly volatile, a secure seal should be formed at the confronting surfaces of the lower side of the wall  20  against the rim of the neck  24  of the lower container  12 , or at the tight engagement of the threaded interface  22 ,  24 . For example, a resilient annular gasket or the like could be glued to the rim of the neck  28  of container  12 , or the entire underside of the bottom wall  20  could be formed of a resilient gasket material. Moreover, a resilient O-ring  33  could also be located at the confronting surfaces at the bottom of the rim  22  of the upper container  10  and the shoulder at the upper periphery of the lower container  12 . One of ordinary skill in the art could readily design these confronting components in relation to the engagement of the threads to assure that the threads do not engage to the limit before the seal is effectuated. 
         [0024]    The cap  38  has a cylindrical or substantially frustoconical handle  40  that is partially hollow such that a stem or wand  42  extends longitudinally from within the handle to a polish applicator brush or the like  44 . At the base of the handle  40 , internal threads  46  are provided at a diameter for engaging the external threads on neck  28 , in a manner that is typical of conventional nail polish bottles. 
         [0025]    As may be appreciated from  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the threaded brush cap  38  is selectively attachable to the neck  28  for opening and closing the aperture  26 . The brush  44  enters the chamber  14 , which encloses a first working volume, when the cap is attached to the neck and is entirely removed from the first working volume when the cap is detached from the neck. The lower chamber  16  partially encloses a second working volume such that when the threads  22 ,  24  are engaged the top  48  of the lower chamber  16  is closed by the bottom wall  20  of the upper chamber and when the threads are disengaged the lower container  12  separates from the upper container  10  whereby the second working volume is exposed through the open top  48 . Clearly, whether the containers  10 ,  12  are secured together as in  FIG. 1  or detached as in  FIG. 3  or  4 , the working volume  14 ,  16  and thus the nail polish  30  and the polish remover pads  36  are always isolated from each other. 
         [0026]    It should be appreciated that the composite makeup kit, particularly the combination of nail polish applicator bottle  10  and nail polish removal jar  12 , can readily be grasped in the hands and detached from each other for use, as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 .  FIG. 4  shows one subsequent step by which the user has placed the upper container or bottle  10  on a flat surface for ready access to the brush cap  38  while the other container or jar  12  for the saturated pads  36  is on the same flat surface nearby. The base of each container  10 ,  12  should be flat or effectively flat for this purpose. Because the solvent that saturates the pads  36  is volatile, the user may wish to remove one or two pads  36 , and then reassemble the containers  10 ,  12  before using the pads for removing previously applied polish from a portion of one nail, one entire nail, or all nails in the fingers of one hand. The cap  38  can then be removed from the upper container for applying polish while the pads  36  remain in a fluidly sealed environment. 
         [0027]    It should also be appreciated that the number of nails from which polish can be removed by the inventory of pads  36  in chamber  16 , may differ from the number of nails that can be polished by the inventory of polish  30  in upper chamber  14 . This difference would most likely occur because all the pads  36  would be utilized before all of the polish  30 , or, due to the volatility of the solvent, some of the pads would become ineffective for removing polish. If the latter condition occurs, the user at her convenience at home, could easily detach the upper and lower containers  10 ,  12  and pour solvent into chamber  16  through the open end  48  thereby replenishing the effectiveness of the pads. Furthermore, replacement pads can be made available as an after market item, provided they have the same area foot print as the cross section of the chamber  16 . 
         [0028]    Although many configurations of the upper container  10  and lower container  12  and their inter-engagement are within the scope of the present invention, in the preferred embodiment, the overall shape is cylindrical with a length of the composite bottle (without cap) of approximately 2-4 inches, and an outer diameter or equivalent cross sectional dimension between opposed walls in the range of about 1-2 inches. The overall axial length of the upper container  10  and the lower container  12  are about equal and in most instances would not differ by more than a 60%-40% ratio. For an example with reference to  FIG. 1 , the overall height h 1  of the lower bottle is preferably 1.0-1.5 inch, the overall height h 2  of the upper bottle including cap is preferably 2.0-2.5 inch, and the outer diameter d is about 1.5 inch. The cross section would typically be circular, but other cross sectional shapes such as oval, rectangular, or other polygon are also possible. It is not necessary that the cross sectional shape of the upper and lower containers  10 ,  12  or working volumes  14 ,  16  be identical. As a practical matter, the diameter of chamber  16  or similar cross dimension of a non-circular chamber, should be large enough to receive a pad that is large enough (e.g., at least ¾ in diameter) to be easily used for removing previously applied polish. 
         [0029]      FIGS. 5 and 6  depict another embodiment of the multi purpose fluid container kit. This embodiment also comprises an upper container  50  defining an upper chamber  54 , and a lower container  52  defining a lower chamber  56 . The upper container  50  and lower container  52  can be formed generally identical to the upper and lower containers,  10  and  12 , in the previously disclosed embodiments. Preferably, the lower end or base of the upper container  50  at the bottom wall  58  has an externally threaded rim  60  configured to mate with the internal threads on the neck  62  of the lower container  52 . Preferably, both of the upper and lower bottom walls,  58  and  59 , are effectively flat. 
         [0030]    As in the previous embodiments, the upper container  50  has an access aperture  64  formed as a bore through an externally threaded neck  66  extending from the top wall  68 . The upper chamber is configured to receive a longitudinally extending applicator wand attached to a frustoconical handle (represented collectively as reference numeral  78  in  FIG. 6 ). Preferably, the upper chamber  54  holds makeup, such as nail polish, and the lower chamber  56  holds a plurality of pads  68  saturated with nail polish solvent. 
         [0031]    Unlike the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-4 , this embodiment has a removable impermeable cover  70  that is positionable within the inner boundaries of the lower container side wall  74 . The cover  70  is a fluid-impermeable unit that is configured to isolate the pads and solvent in the lower chamber  52  from the external environment, including the bottom wall  58  of the upper container when the container kit is in the closed condition ( FIG. 5 ). The cover  70  is generally circular and defines an outer radial edge and top and bottom surfaces. The top surface is preferably fit with a manually gripable dome shaped handle  76 . As depicted, the outer radial edge of the cover  70  comprises a pair of flexible lips  72 . Thus, when engaged, the cup seal isolates the solvent and pads from the external environment, including the outer surface of the bottom wall  58 . 
         [0032]    In an alternate embodiment, the lips can be configured to engage an O-ring or like unit to enhance the isolation between the pads and the outer environment (not shown). When the cup seal  70  is positioned within the lower cavity  56  above the pads  68 , the O-ring is compressed by the side wall  74 , resulting in effective pressure on the inner surface of the side wall  74 . 
         [0033]    Similar to the  FIGS. 1-4  embodiment, a user can detach the nail polish applicator bottle  50  and nail polish removal jar  52 . Due to the effective flatness of the respective bottom walls,  58  and  59 , the applicator bottle and nail polish removal jar can each be placed on a relatively flat surface, such as a tabletop, for use. A user can grip the handle  76  and lift the cover  70  to expose the pads  68 , remove a pad, and then replace the cover within the lower cavity above the pads, re-sealing the pads and solvent from the open air. 
         [0034]    The cover  70  prevents nail polish removing solvent that is present in the lower chamber  56  from depositing on the bottom surface of the upper container  50  when the kit is in the closed condition. Accidental damage of a tabletop or like furniture with finish-removing solvent during use of the makeup kit is therefore avoided. Additionally, the cover  70  reduces or prevents evaporation of the typically highly volatile solvent while the kit is in use without requiring the user to re-attach the upper and lower chambers. 
         [0035]    With reference to  FIGS. 7-9 , an additional embodiment of the integrated nail makeup kit is disclosed. As can be seen, this embodiment features two separate upper containers,  100  and  101 , rather than the single upper container of the previous embodiments. Each respective upper container has a side wall ( 102  and  103 ) and bottom wall ( 106  and  107 ) which respectively define separate first and second upper chambers,  108  and  109 . The first and second upper containers,  100  and  101 , have access apertures,  110  and  111 . Each of the access apertures,  110  and  111  is formed as a bore through an externally threaded neck,  112  and  113 , that extends from the top wall,  114  and  115 , of the respective upper containers,  100  and  101 . 
         [0036]    As shown, each of the upper containers,  100  and  101 , is fit with a cylindrical or substantially frustoconical handle,  116  and  117 , that is partially hollow and fit with internal threads for mating with the external threads of the respective necks,  112  and  113 . The handles,  116  and  117 , can have generally identical configurations to the handle  38  of the previous embodiment, with longitudinally-extending wands,  118  and  119 , fit with polish applicator brushes,  120  and  121 , opposite the handles,  116  and  117 . 
         [0037]    In this embodiment, the lower container  104  is substantially identical to the lower container  12  of the previous embodiment. The lower container  104  has a substantially cylindrical side wall  122  and a substantially flat bottom wall  124  which collectively define a lower chamber  126 . Within the lower chamber is disposed a plurality of pads  128  that are saturated in nail polish solvent. 
         [0038]    As indicated in  FIGS. 7-9 , at least a portion of the outer surface of each of the upper container side walls,  102  and  103 , is configured to allow a generally flush meeting of the respective upper containers,  100  and  101 . In the depicted embodiment, each of the respective portions is generally flat (see reference numerals  130  and  131 ,  FIG. 9A ). However, other complementary configurations for these portions of the side walls are possible. Here, when the flat side wall portion  130  of the first upper container  100  is positioned against the flat side wall portion  131  of the second upper container, grooves  162  and  163  in the lower portions of the respective upper containers, are retained in ridges  164  and  165  of a bottle retainer  160 .  FIGS. 7 and 8  depict the makeup kit in its secured or “closed” configuration. As can be seen in  FIG. 8 , when in the closed configuration, the bottle retainer is capable of securing the two upper containers  100  and  101 . Similar to the previous embodiments which featured a single bottom wall  20 , when in the secured configuration, the bottle retainer  160  seals the lower chamber  126  from the external environment, and thus help prevent evaporation of the solvent therein. 
         [0039]      FIGS. 9A &amp; 9B  depict an exploded view of the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . Between the upper containers,  100  and  101 , and lower container  104  is positioned the bottle retainer  160 . The retainer  160  is configured to receive and retain the lower portion of each upper container  100  and  101 . A central wall  166  separates the retainer into two wells  172  and  173 . The lower portions of the respective upper containers are retained in wells  172  and  173  when the makeup kit is in the closed configuration. In this embodiment, the retainer  160  is configured for mating with the lower portion of each upper container via the retainer ridges  164  and  165  and grooves  162  and  163  in the upper container lower portions. The lower outer surface of the retainer  160  is fit with threading  168  that mates with the inner threading  134  of the lower container  104 . The retainer piece allows the user to remove one or both of the upper containers  100  or  101  from the wells  172  and  173  while maintaining a hermetic seal on the lower container  104 . The retainer piece allows the user to employ the upper containers  100  or  101 , while simultaneously ensuring that the volatile solvent does not evaporate during use. 
         [0040]    Like the previous embodiments, this embodiment can include a resilient O-ring  136  and impermeable cover  170  or similar sealing element positioned at the confronting surfaces of the upper periphery of the lower container  104  and the bottom of the outer surface of the retainer  160 . A removable cover, such as that depicted by reference numeral  138 , can be included to conceal and help prevent wear or breakage of the handles,  116  and  117 . Since the first and second upper chambers,  108  and  109 , are completely isolated from each other at all times, each chamber can be filled with a different color, type, or style of nail polish fluid, thus offering variety to the consumer. Notably, this embodiment of the makeup kit is not limited in shape, size or number of upper containers. 
         [0041]    Any of the disclosed embodiments of the makeup kit can include additional beautification utensils, such as, for example the nail file or sanding disc  140  shown in  FIG. 10 . The nail file  140  is positioned and secured between the upper container  142  and lower container  144 . Also depicted in  FIG. 10  is a modification to the removable cover  146 , here having a flexible tab  148  in place of a gripable handle  76  of the previous embodiment. A removable plastic or foil seal, like that depicted as reference numeral  150  in  FIG. 9 , can be fixed to the upper rim  152  of the lower container  104  to completely seal the lower chamber  126  prior to an initial use of a solvent saturated pad  128 . 
         [0042]    While a preferred embodiment has been set forth for purposes of illustration, the foregoing description should not be deemed a limitation of the invention herein. Accordingly, various modifications, adaptations and alternatives may occur to one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention and scope of the claimed coverage.