Abstract:
Embodiments of the present disclosure are related to a nail polish kit including a stem, a plurality of interchangeable applicator elements where one applicator element is configured to connect to the stem at a time, an overcap that is configured to connect to the stem and a tray that holds the stem, the overcap and the plurality of interchangeable applicator elements. The distal end of the stem includes a threaded component that corresponds to a threaded component of a proximal end of the applicator element, that can be coupled and decoupled and each of the plurality of interchangeable applicator elements have a different type of application mechanism from each of the other plurality of application elements.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Fingernail art is the process of making designs, pictures, and the like on fingernails. In order to create various design and pictures, nail polish needs to be applied to specific areas of a fingernail by different types of brushes and applicators. A user may require the use of several different types of nail polish applicators, brushes and the like, to create intricate nail art designs. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0002]    Embodiments of the present disclosure are related to a nail polish kit including a stem, a plurality of interchangeable applicator elements where one applicator element is configured to connect to the stem at a time, an overcap that is configured to connect to the stem and a tray that holds the stem, the overcap and the plurality of interchangeable applicator elements. The distal end of the stem includes a threaded component that corresponds to a threaded component of a proximal end of the applicator element, that can be coupled and decoupled and each of the plurality of interchangeable applicator elements have a different type of application mechanism from each of the other plurality of application elements. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0003]    A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0004]      FIG. 1A  illustrates nail polish kit according to one example; 
           [0005]      FIG. 1B  illustrates applying paint to a fingernail; 
           [0006]      FIGS. 2A-2C  illustrate an assembly of an overcap, a stem, and a applicator tip for applying nail polish; 
           [0007]      FIGS. 3A-3B  illustrate the overcap; 
           [0008]      FIGS. 4A-4B  illustrate a stem, which connects to the overcap; 
           [0009]      FIGS. 5A-5C  illustrate an applicator tip, which connects to the stem; and 
           [0010]      FIGS. 6A-6I  illustrate a variety of different applicator tips, each tip having a different application method for applying nail polish. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0011]    Fingernail art is the process of making designs, pictures, and the like on fingernails. In order to create various design and pictures, nail polish needs to be applied to specific areas of a fingernail by different types of applicator mechanisms. For example, brushes, spherical balls, points, and the like. Furthermore, the surfaces of the applicators may be modified to create different surface textures or specifically shaped to dispense substrates onto the fingernail. Surface modification of the applicators may be important to drive the development and application of nail polish with different chemical polarity and binding properties. 
         [0012]    Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a versatile nail system that allows a user to use a single cap with a variety of different types of applicator mechanisms. The applicators are interchangeable with the cap, and allow the user to switch out one applicator mechanism with another applicator mechanism to apply different textures, styles and details to specific areas of a fingernail. This way, the user does not need to have a multitude of caps, each cap with its own unique application mechanism. 
         [0013]    Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
         [0014]      FIG. 1A  illustrates a nail polish kit in accordance with one exemplary embodiment. The nail polish kit  100  includes an applicator assembly. The applicator assembly includes an overcap  300 , a stem  400 , and a plurality of applicator tips  500 . The overcap  300  is adapted to fit on a conventional nail polish bottle  102 . The stem  400  is adapted to attach or connect to the inner portion of the overcap  300 . However, the present disclosure is not so limited, and the overcap  300  and the stem  400  may be a singular continuous piece. 
         [0015]    In an embodiment, the overcap  300  removably attaches to the stem  400 . In an embodiment, the overcap  300  removably attaches to the stem  400  via at least one of a bayonet coupling structure, a friction fit coupling structure, a snap fit coupling structure, or a threaded coupling structure having one or more substructures adapted to coupled to a corresponding bayonet coupling structure, friction fit coupling structure, snap fit coupling structure, or threaded coupling structure on the stem  400 . In an embodiment, the overcap  300  is configure to removably attach to the stem  400  by a bayonet coupling, a friction fit coupling, a snap fit coupling, or a threaded coupling. 
         [0016]    The stem  400  is also adapted to attach or connect to one of the plurality of available applicator tips  500 . The plurality of applicator tips  500  allow for user to choose from a variety of nail polish applicators for applying nail polish to a fingernails. In an embodiment, a tip  500  can take a variety of shapes, configurations, or geometries, including, but not limited to, polygonal, spherical, cylindrical, conical, parabolic, regular or irregular forms. 
         [0017]    The application of nail polish is illustrated in  FIG. 1B . The present disclosure is not limited to the application of nail polish, as a number of different types of solvents could be applied to fingernails. Within the nail color and nail care categories, solvents include acetone-based formulas, gels, oils, creams, waxes, or a combination. Some of these products contain highly volatile chemicals so the selected material used in the applicator must be durable enough to withstand the different solvents. Synthetic polymers including LDPE (low density polyethylene), TFE (tetrafluoroethylene), PMP (polymethyl methacrylate (acrylic)), and PFA (polyfluoroalkoxy) are a few plastics that have shown good chemical resistance to acetone at various temperatures. These plastics can be pre-treated to accommodate the solvents. 
         [0018]    In an example, each applicator tip  500  can have a different applicator mechanism  110 . Each applicator mechanism  110  has its own individual properties, such as size, shape, application method, material, and the like. The nail polish kit can have a multitude applicator tips, each with its own unique applicator mechanism. Alternatively, some of the applicator tips could have the same applicator mechanism, but of a different size. For example, a thin brush and a wide brush. These applicators will be described in more detail later in the specification. 
         [0019]    The nail polish kit  100  further includes a tray  104  for housing all of the various components of the nail polish kit  100 . The tray  104  can be made of plastic, or any other suitable material. The tray  104  can include plurality of depressions that house each individual component. For example, there can be a depression  108  for the overcap  300  and stem  400  assembly. A plurality of depressions  106  for the various applicator tips  500 . The tray  104  can further include a plurality of depressions or wells  110 , for holding different nail polishes, for example, different colors of nail polish. This can help prevent contamination between different polishes and also allow the user to only put in the amount of nail polish needed in each well, in order to prevent waste. The kit can further include a tray cap. The tray cap is configured to fit on top of the tray  104  and be secured to the tray  104 . The tray cap can hold each individual component in place, when the components are stored in the tray  104 . The tray cover also seals the wells  110 , so that any nail polish placed in the wells are sealed, so that the nail polish will not dry out, or spill out of the wells  104 . 
         [0020]      FIGS. 2A-2C  illustrate the nail polish applicator assembly  200 . As describe above, the nail polish applicator assembly  200  includes three different parts, the overcap  300 , the stem  400 , and the applicator tip  500 .  FIG. 2A  illustrates an exploded view of the nail polish applicator assembly  200  and how each of the components fit together.  FIG. 2C  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the nail polish applicator assembly  200  according to the cross-section line  2 C. 
         [0021]      FIG. 3A  illustrates the overcap  300  and  FIG. 3B  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the overcap  300 . The overcap  300  has a cylindrical shape with an opening  306  at a first end, with an internal cavity. The overcap  300  may have internal threads  302  within the internal cavity of the overcap  300  that are engagable with external threads of a nail polish bottle. The overcap  300  may also include an internal coupling  304  that is above the internal threads  302  and attaches the overcap  300  to the stem  400 . The stem connects to the overcap via friction fit as seen in  FIG. 2C , whereas the stem is a softer material that is press fit into the cavity of the of the overcap. The overcap  300  is a size that enables a user to adequately hold the overcap  300  in their hand and be able to apply nail polish to fingernails. 
         [0022]      FIG. 4A  illustrates the stem  400  and  FIG. 4B  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the stem  400 . A first end  402  of the stem  400  couples with the overcap  300 . In another embodiment, the overcap  300  and the stem  400  may be single piece and be integral with each other. 
         [0023]    The second end  404  of the stem  400  has external threads  406 . The external threads  406  are engageable with the plurality of applicator tips  500 . The use of threads enables a friction fit. A friction fit creates a secure fit between the stem  400  and the applicator tip  500 . A secure fit helps ensure that when the user is applying nail polish to fingernails that the fit does not wobble or become loose and cause to user to make a mistake when applying nail polish. Some connections may not be ideal for connecting the stem  400  to the applicator tip  500 . For example, a magnetic connection might be easily disconnected during the application of nail polish to fingernails. If the connection is disconnected, the user may make an error when applying the nail polish. This can create problems in nail art, as a mistake that occurs when the user has almost completed the nail art on a particular fingernail, may cause the user to have to redo the nail art on that fingernail, and waste the users time. Therefore, the secure connection helps ensure that the connection does not creates problems for the user while applying nail polish to the fingernail. 
         [0024]      FIG. 5A  illustrates an exemplary applicator tip  500 ,  FIG. 5B  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the applicator tip  500 , and  FIG. 5C  illustrates a bottom view of the applicator tip  500 . 
         [0025]    The exemplary tip illustrated in  FIG. 5A  has a first end  502  and a second end  504 . The second end  504  has a spherical ball  506 . The spherical ball  506  enables the user to dip the ball  506  into nail polish and then apply the ball  506  to a specific location on the fingernail to make lines other different shapes. 
         [0026]      FIG. 5B  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the applicator tip  500  illustrated in  FIG. 5A . The applicator tip  500  contains internal threads  508  within the first end  502 . The internal threads  508  are engagable with the external threads  406  of the stem  400 . When the stem  400  and the applicator tip  500  are engaged, a friction fit is created. Mechanical fastening, snap fit, bayonet, and threads as discussed for this design are some common types of inexpensive, non-permanent assembly techniques that can form a frictional lock between the mating parts. The use of a friction fit is beneficial, as it ensures the connections between the stem  400  and the applicator tip  500 . A loose connection could cause a user to make a mistake while applying nail polish to fingernails. For example, a slight bump might cause the connection to loosen and cause the user to make a mistake while painting. If the user makes a mistake while doing nail art, the mistake can ruin the nail art the user is making, which can result in lost time for the user, if the user needs to do the nail again. 
         [0027]    Different applicator tips  500  are interchangeable with the overcap  300  and stem  400  assembly. Rather than having a multitude of caps, each cap having a corresponding brush, the applicator tips are interchangeable with the overcap  300  and stem  400  assembly. Because each tip does not have its own individual cap, storage of the applicator tips is more compact. Plus, additional materials are not needed for the manufacturing of each individual cap and tip. 
         [0028]      FIGS. 6A-6I  illustrate a plurality of different applicator tips  500 . The present disclosure is not limited to the applicator tips  500  illustrated in  FIGS. 6A-6I , but is merely to illustrate a variety of different applicator tips  500  and application mechanisms that could be incorporated into the nail polish kit. 
         [0029]      FIGS. 6A-6C  illustrate spherical balls of differing size, ranging from small in  FIG. 6A  to large in  FIG. 6C . The size of the spherical ball enables the user to obtain different applications of nail polish. A smaller ball enables the user to paint with finer detail in comparison to a larger ball.  FIG. 6D  illustrates a sharp point that enables the user to apply nail polish in fine detail.  FIG. 6E  illustrates a dual spherical ball applicator. The dual spherical ball applicator enables the user to draw parallel lines. 
         [0030]      FIGS. 6F-6I  illustrate different type of applicator brushes. Each brush enables to the user to apply nail polish in a different manner. For example,  FIG. 6F  illustrates a conventional nail polish brush, for applying nail polish to the whole fingernail.  FIG. 6G  illustrates a brush with short bristles.  FIG. 6H  illustrates a detail brush that enables to the user to paint fine details and lines.  FIG. 6I  illustrates a brush with wide bristles for painting large amount of the fingernail at a single time. Brushes may be composed of natural hair or synthetic fibers which can further affect the quality and application of the polish. Synthetic fibers are more easily mass produced but do not have the tapered tip as in natural hairs to create fine points. These materials used in nail applicator brushes should be able to withstand the volatile chemicals may be present in nail polish. 
         [0031]    Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.