Abstract:
A multi-function cosmetic device having a first and a second component, each removable from one another wherein the second component has a first section and a second section each of which are removable from one another. The front of the first component and the fronts of the first and second sections are working components, such as, but are not limited to, fingernail brushes, fingernail scrapers/cleaners, fingernail design tips, and make-up brushes. Additional independent stackable components, each having a similar working component at their respective front ends, are removably stackable onto the fronts of either first component or the fronts of the first and second sections of the second component and are removably stackable onto each other.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of nonprovisional application, application Ser. No. 11/868,639 filed on Oct. 8, 2007, and bearing Confirmation Number 1460. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT None. 
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The improved cosmetic and manicuring device as set forth in this disclosure relates to an improvement in nail brushes, and more particularly to an improved combination multi-function nail brush, nail cleaner, nail scraper, and nail cleaner/design applicator. Though described in detail herein primarily for manicuring purposes, it must be understood that the brushes associated with this device may also be brushes suitable for applying make-up, such as, but not limited to, eye shadow, eye liner, and mascara. 
         [0003]    Attention is brought to the fingernail, however, because it is an important skin appendage. It covers the dorsal surface of the terminal phalanges; i.e., the most distal bones of each finger and toe. Fingernails serve to protect the tips of the fingers and to assist in picking up small objects. They may be decorated or plain as desired by the person. 
         [0004]    Fingernails are composed of laminated layers of a protein called keratin, which is also found in one&#39;s hair and skin. As a result, fingernails should be kept in good condition and clipped regularly in a rounded or squared shape. 
         [0005]    Most of the fingernail is pink because of the underlying vascular tissue. The crescent-shaped half-moon-like white area at the bottom of the fingernail is the lunula. The lunula has a white-ish appearance because the vascular tissue under it does not show through. The lunula is the area in which new fingernail growth occurs. 
         [0006]    The cuticle is just below the lunula and the nail body is above the lunula and is basically pinkish in color. The cuticle is the tissue that overlaps the lunula at the base of the fingernail. It serves as a barrier to keep bacteria from entering one&#39;s body and protects the new keratin cells that slowly emerge as the fingernail grows 
         [0007]    As the fingernail grows, it will extend beyond the fingertip. The part of the fingernail which extends beyond the fingertip is referred to as the free edge and it also is white-ish in color or not a pink as the nail body. 
         [0008]    A “pink-and-white” fingernail has become very popular. The process to produce a pink-and-white fingernail is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and multi-faceted in that several implements are required. These include a large fingernail brush, a smaller fingernail brush, a fingernail scraper, and a fingernail cleaner. 
         [0009]    Reference is now made to  FIGS. 1 through 4  in an attempt to clarify the process. The pink-and-white fingernail process first requires the manicure specialist to prepare the fingernail  60  for application of a nail tip  65  and ultimate application of acrylic on the fingernail  60 . Conventional preparation requires “roughening” the surface of the fingernail  60  typically by using a rotary sanding device designed for fingernails. A nail tip  65  is then glued onto the fingernail over and covering the free edge  63  of the fingernail  60  and can be trimmed to any desired length. 
         [0010]    A ridge or step  66  is formed where the bottom of the nail tip  65  meets the fingernail body  62 . Using the rotary sanding device, this ridge  66  is typically sanded down leaving a slight incline between the bottom of the nail tip  65 , where the ridge  66  was, and the fingernail body  62 . 
         [0011]    First the entire nail  62  is primed with a conventional primer. Next a white acrylic is applied onto the nail tip  65  by using a large nail brush and dipping it into a conventional monomer, then into a conventional white powder thereby forming a brushable acrylic paste, followed by brush application of the white acrylic paste onto the nail tip  65 . The white acrylic paste dries extremely fast and the manicure specialist typically works the white acrylic paste by brushing over it with the monomer using the large nail brush. 
         [0012]    This is typically followed by use of the smaller brush to create a crescent moon-like shape on the nail tip  65  by brushing side to side and up and down on the nail tip  65  until the exact crescent shape is perfectly achieved. 
         [0013]    The idea is to create a white crescent-moon shape on the nail tip  65  up from the ridge line  66  to the entire nail tip  65  [see  FIG. 4 ]. Any excess white acrylic under the nail tip  65  is removed with a nail cleaner. Any dried white acrylic below the ridge line  66  is typically removed by sanding, filing, or scraping; a time-consuming and delicate task. 
         [0014]    Next, by using a larger nail brush, the pink acrylic component is applied. This is done by dipping the nail brush into a conventional monomer, then into a conventional pink powder thereby forming a brushable acrylic paste, followed by brush application of the pink acrylic paste downward from the nail tip  65  to, but not onto, the cuticle  71 , thereby covering the nail body  62  and lunula  61  in the process. The pink acrylic paste also dries extremely fast and the manicure specialist typically works the pink acrylic paste by brushing over it with the monomer using the large nail brush. 
         [0015]    Inasmuch as it is desired for the crescent-moon shape of the white tip to maintain its purest white color, the manicure specialist must remove any excess pink acrylic paste overlapping the white tip by sanding and filing; also a time-consuming and delicate task. Scraping, however, is a novel method and a better method provided scraping can be done quickly and before the acrylic dries. The device of the present disclosure is suited to accomplish this task. 
         [0016]    I have found that scraping is best accomplished by placing the scraper onto the white tip, adjacent to the nail  62  and over the ridge  66 , pressing down on that surface area and scraping from one side to the other side to remove all the excess pink acrylic which overlaps the white tip before the pink acrylic dries. This is repeated as necessary until the white tip is clean of the pink, is the desired crescent shape, and is pure white. This scraping procedure eliminates the need for filing or sanding or both. This also is a delicate task and must be done quickly without searching for necessary implements. The need to do this is so that the white tip does not become clouding in appearance. It is desired that it be as pure white as is possible. 
         [0017]    After the pink-and-white fingernail process is complete, the customer may also desire a pattern, such as a flower design, on the pink section or the white section or both. Typically, a round-shaped nail cleaner is used for this purpose. This rounded end may be used to create various patterns and designs on the fingernail [such as, but not limited to, flower patterns, dots, hearts, raindrops, and the like], as desired, when first dipped in a suitable polish, a water-based paint, or other solution before dabbing onto the now-dried pink acrylic component or onto the now-dried white acrylic component or both. 
         [0018]    Consequently, to process the pink-and-white fingernail, the manicure specialist must have at hand, [1] a large nail brush to apply the pink and white acrylic, [2] a small nail brush to work the white acrylic/polish to the desired crescent-moon shape and to apply a clear glossy gel as a topcoat for a shiny finished look, [3] a nail scraper to remove any excess pink acrylic overlapping the white tip, [4] a nail cleaner to clean excess acrylic under the fingernail, and [5] a nail-design tip to apply design patterns as may be desired by the customer. With the need to work fast due to the fast-drying acrylics, and the requirement of four or more nail-care implements to perform four to five functions, one or more such nail-care implements may not be readily handy or found when precisely needed due to the speed in which the manicure specialist must operate. 
         [0019]    The device of my co-pending application, application Ser. No. 11/868,639, combines all these stand-alone prior art nail-care implements required in the pink-and-white fingernail process into a single device to thereby permit the user to be more effective and more efficient in the pink-and-white fingernail process. That single device eliminated the need to switch back and forth between the multiple nail-care implements or the need to locate a misplaced nail-care implement when precisely need. All these components in that single device also eliminated the frustration associated with the very possibility of misplacing one essential prior art nail-care implement and then searching for it or a suitable replacement while in the middle of a pink-and-white fingernail process. 
         [0020]    All the user needs to do with that device of my co-pending application is to rotate it from one desired component [large nail brush] to the next desire component [scraper/nail cleaner], or to remove another component [small nail brush] from the handle receptacle of the large nail brush. The pink-and-white fingernail process is simplified and expedited in the process. 
         [0021]    Additionally, with all these components incorporated into a single device renders the cost of manufacture and cost to purchase substantially less than the cost of buying several stand-alone prior art nail-care implements. Moreover, if a component is damaged, only that component need be replaced rather than the entire device. The disclosure of my co-pending application, application Ser. No. 11/868,639, is incorporated by reference into this present disclosure of my improved multi-function cosmetic device. 
         [0022]    This new and improved device: 
         [0023]    a. provides a greater locking capability between the two ends [a twist-lock option and a better friction-lock option]; 
         [0024]    b. provides an option for a single-end working component without a second end working component; 
         [0025]    c. gives the user an option to use just a single large brush with a cap at the end or just a single small brush with a cap on the end or a small brush with two inter-changeable working components on each end which are removable from each other; and 
         [0026]    d. with either option above, provides a stackability feature over which more than one working component can be stacked on a previously stacked component. 
         [0027]    The foregoing has outlined some of the more pertinent objects of the improved manicuring device as set forth in this disclosure. These objects should be construed to be merely illustrative of some of the more prominent features and applications of the improved manicuring device. Many other beneficial results can be attained by applying the disclosed improved manicuring device in a different manner or by modifying the improved manicuring device within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other objects and a fuller understanding of the improved manicuring device as set forth in this disclosure may be had by referring to the summary of the improved manicuring device and the detailed description of the preferred embodiment in addition to the scope of the improved manicuring device defined by the claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0028]    The above-noted problems, among others, are overcome by the improved cosmetic and manicuring device as set forth in this disclosure. Briefly stated, the improved cosmetic and manicuring device contemplates an improved multi-function cosmetic device having a first and a second component, each removable from one another. The second component has a first section and a second section each of which are also removable from one another. The front of the first component and the fronts of the first and second sections of the second component are working components, such as, but are not limited to, fingernail brushes, fingernail scrapers/cleaners, and fingernail design tips. 
         [0029]    A connecting means for removably connecting the first component to the second component, and for removably connecting the first section to and from the second section of the second component are of a twist-locking mechanism or a friction-locking mechanism. The twist-lock has a shaft extending outward of both components or sections with a half-moon top and a three-quarter moon slot between the top and the shaft. The tops of each twist-lock align with each other, are pushed together, and rotated approximately one-quarter turn to seat the tops of each into the slots of the other thereby locking the two together. The friction-lock has a skirt extending outward from either component and section, with a plurality of slits cut through the skirt, and are insertable into a cooperating receiving chamber of the other component or section. 
         [0030]    Individual and independent couplers may have a friction-lock on one side and a twist-lock on the other side which accept any cooperating connector. The independent couplers also may have a friction-lock on each side or a twist-lock on each side which accept any cooperating connector. 
         [0031]    Additional independent stackable components, each having a similar working component at their respective front ends, are removably stackable onto the fronts of either first component or the fronts of the first and second sections of the second component and are removably stackable onto each other. 
         [0032]    The foregoing has outlined the more pertinent and important features of the improved cosmetic and manicuring device as set forth in this disclosure in order that the detailed description that follows may be better understood so the present contributions to the art may be more fully appreciated. Additional features of the improved cosmetic and manicuring device will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims. 
         [0033]    It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the disclosed specific embodiment may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures and methods for carrying out the same purposes of the improved cosmetic and manicuring device as set forth in this disclosure. It also should be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions and methods do not depart from the spirit and scope of the improved cosmetic and manicuring device as set forth in the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0034]    For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the improved cosmetic and manicuring device as set forth in this disclosure, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0035]      FIG. 1  is a detailed front elevation view of a fingernail. 
           [0036]      FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of a fingernail. 
           [0037]      FIG. 3  is a side elevation view of a fingernail with a nail tip attached. 
           [0038]      FIG. 4  is a front elevation view of a fingernail with a nail tip attached. 
           [0039]      FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of the device of the present disclosure illustrating a large brush on one end the either a cap or a dual-component small brush on the other end. 
           [0040]      FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of the device of the present disclosure illustrating a twist-lock fit of a dual-component. 
           [0041]      FIG. 7  is an exploded view of the device illustrating a combination twist-lock and skirt-type friction fit coupler and the stackability feature of the device. 
           [0042]      FIG. 8  is a detailed partial view in cross-section illustrating more than one working component stacked upon another working component. 
           [0043]      FIG. 9  is a detailed view of the working components of  FIG. 8  unstacked from each other. 
           [0044]      FIG. 10  is a detailed view of a connector component having a skirt-type friction-lock on both ends. 
           [0045]      FIG. 11  is a detailed view of a connector component having a twist-lock on both ends. 
           [0046]      FIGS. 12-15  are detailed views of the twist-lock component. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0047]    Referring now to the drawings in detail as to  FIGS. 1 through 7 , and in particular to reference character  10  of  FIG. 5 , generally designates an improved multi-function cosmetic device constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiments thereof. 
         [0048]      FIGS. 1 through 4  are illustrative of a human finger  70  having a cuticle  71  and fingernail  60 . The fingernail  60  consists of, from the cuticle  71  up, the lunula  61  [moon-like white section], the nail body  62  [pinkish section], and the free edge  63  [the basically white-like in color distal end grown out from the distal end of the finger  70 ]. 
         [0049]    As discussed in the background, the pink-and-white process for fingernails is time-consuming, detailed work, and requires several different nail-care implements. Each such nail-care implement is a stand-alone nail-care implements which generally needs to be alternated in the pink-and-white process. Consequently, the manicure specialist will lay down one nail-care implement and pick up another, and do this repeatedly during the course of the process. The pink-and-white process requires speed, in that the acrylics are extremely fast-drying, and detail or else the user must start over. Mis-placing a nail-care implement when needed most is a prelude disaster and generally will require the manicure specialist to start over. 
         [0050]    The improved multi-function cosmetic and manicure device of the present disclosure has a first component  20  with a front  21  and a back  22  and here illustrating a brush  25  at the front  21  and a removably attachable second component which could be a cap  40  having a front  41  and a back  42  wherein the back  42  inserts into the first component; or it could be a working component [dual or single], as illustrated by reference character  50 , which is also insertable from either end into the first component  20 . 
         [0051]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the front  21  of the first component  20  is a working component; i.e., comprised of a brush  25 , generally for fingernails, or such working component could be, though not limited to, a scraper  29 , or even a design tip  27  as illustrated in  FIGS. 7 through 9 . 
         [0052]    The back  22  of the first component  20  has a receiving chamber  24  which has a width-A 1 . Where the second component is a cap  40 , the back end  42  of the cap  40  has a width-A 2  wherein width-A 2  is slightly less than width-A 1 . The back end  42  also has one or more nubs or detents  36  thereon as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . Such configuration permits the insertion of the back end  42  into the receiving chamber  24  so that the back end  42  translates into the receiving chamber  24  and the protruding nubs  36  exert outward force on the inner walls of the receiving chamber  24  to thereby securely retain the cap  40  to the first component  20 . 
         [0053]      FIGS. 5 through 9  are illustrative of a preferred embodiment of a second component  50 , insertable into the first component  20  wherein the second component  50  is comprised of a working component on one or both sections wherein the sections are removably connectable from and from one another. 
         [0054]    Reference character  50  of  FIG. 50  illustrates the second component  50  having a brush  25  at the outer end of the first section  51  and a design tip  27  at the outer end of the second section  52 . The two sections  51 ,  52  are connectable to one another by a combination coupler  380 . 
         [0055]    The first section  51  is shown with a twist-lock type connector component  81  at its back end. Reference is made to  FIGS. 12 through 15  for the details associated with the twist-lock type connector component  81 . The top  84  of this twist-lock type connector component  81  is approximately half-moon shaped. Between the top  84  and the shaft  87  is an approximately three-quarter-moon slot  86 . The half-moon top  84  has a thickness-B 1  and the three-quarter-moon slot  86  has a width-B 2  wherein width-B 2  is slightly greater than thickness-B 1  to permit the top  84  of one twist-lock connector component  81  to engage and enter the slot  86  of any cooperating twist-lock connector component  81 . A rim or neck  26  surrounds the twist-lock connector component  81  up to the half-moon top to a point approximately one-half of its thickness; about one-half the distance of thickness-B 1 . As such, a recess is defined with the rim  26  by the half-moon top  84  and the three-quarter moon slot  86 . The outer perimeter of the rim  26  has a width-A 2  rendering it insertable into the receiving chamber  24  of the first component  20 . The rim  26  will also have one or more nubs  36  thereon for a secure fit. 
         [0056]    A similarly configured cooperating twist-lock connector component  81  is on one end of the combination coupler  380 . In operation, the respective half-moon tops  84  are to be aligned with one another such that the combination coupler  380  may be pushed in the direction of Arrow-X toward and into the recess of the cooperating twist-lock component connector  81  of the first section  51 . Once so inserted, the rim  26  or each respective twist-lock component connector  81  encircles the two opposing twist-lock connector components  81  and the combination coupler  380  is then rotated in the direction of Arrow-Y, approximately one-quarter turn, causing the top  84  of the combination coupler  380  to engage the slot  86  of the first section and the top  84  of the first section to engage the slot  86  of the combination coupler  380 . 
         [0057]    Once so engaged the first section and the combination coupler  380  are secured to one another. As attached the outer ends of each respective rim  26  approximately abuts its counterpart rim  26 . 
         [0058]    On the opposite end of the combination coupler  380  is a skirt-type friction-lock connector component  91 . In the approximate center of the combination coupler  380  is a collar  82  having a width-A 3  wherein width-A 3  is greater than width-A 1 . Extending away from the collar  82  in the direction of the twist-lock component  91  is a rim  26  without a recess and with nubs  36  around the rim  26 . Extending away from the collar  82  in the direction of the friction-lock connector component  91  is a collar shaft  23  having a width-A 2  and nubs  36  thereon. This configuration permits insertion of the rim  26  of either side of the combination coupler  380  into the receiving chamber  24  of the first component  20  such that said insertion will terminate at the collar  82 . The nubs  36  provide securing outward force on the inner wall of the receiving chamber  24 . 
         [0059]    Extending farther out from the collar shaft  23  on this combination coupler  380  is the friction-lock connector component  91 . A plurality of slits  96  are cut through the skirt  94  and are approximately perpendicular to the collar  82 . The outer perimeter of the skirt  94  has a width-A 7  wherein width-A 7  is equal to or greater than width-A 5 . This permits the friction-lock component  91  to compress as necessary as it is being inserted into the receiving chamber  34  of the second section  52  and to exert outward pressure against the inner wall of that receiving chamber  34 , which has a width-A 5 , thereby securing the combination coupler  380  to the second section  52 . 
         [0060]    The first section  51  also has a collar  82  forward of the rim  26  wherein said collar  82  has a width-A 3  followed a collar shaft  23  with one or more nubs  36  thereon. The collar shaft  23  has a width-A 2  which facilitates insertion into the receiving chamber  24  of the first component  20  [as described above]. Forward of the collar shaft  23  is a shaft  37  having a width-A 6  wherein width-A 6  is less than width-A 2  and less than width-A 5  thereby making it insertable into a receiving chamber  34  as described above. 
         [0061]    An additional unique feature of this improved multi-function cosmetic device is its stackability feature and the stacking extensions  28 A, B, C.  FIG. 5  illustrates a stacking extension  28 A having a design tip  27  at its front and a receiving chamber  34  at its back. As alluded to above, the cavity in the receiving chamber  34  has a width-A 5  which is slightly greater than width-A 6  and may be equal to or less than width-A 7 . As described below, this permits this stackable extension  28 A, or any similarly configured extension, to stack onto the shaft  37  of a preceding extension or onto the friction-fit component  91  due to the ability of the friction-fit component  91  to flex inward [or outward]. 
         [0062]    Rearward of the design tip  27  is a shaft  37  having a width-A 6  and one or more nubs  36  thereon. The shaft  37  terminates at the ledge  38  wherein the ledge has a width-A 4 . The shaft  37  or this extension  28 A, and all similarly configured extensions  28 B,  28 C is removably insertable into a receiving chamber  34  of any preceding extension  28 A,  28 B,  28 C.  FIGS. 5 through 9  are illustrative. 
         [0063]      FIG. 9  also illustrates that a cap  16  having an inner chamber with a width-A 5  or width-A 1 . With width-A 5 , the cap  16  may be inserted over onto a shaft  37  of an extension  28 C or any extension  28 A,  28 B. With width-A 1 , the cap  16  may be inserted over the first section  51  over the collar shaft  23  or any similarly constructed section or extensions. 
         [0064]    As illustrated in various figures, a working component may comprise a scraper  29  extending beyond the shaft  37  [stackable extension  28 B], and may also include but not be limited to, a brush  25  [stackable extension  28 C] or a design tip  27  [stackable extension  28 A]. 
         [0065]    Though the various locking components have been described as being in combination with another different locking component, they may be in combination with one another as illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . The twist-lock component  81  coupler may have the twist-lock component on each end, as illustrated by reference character  280 ,  FIG. 11 . The friction-lock component  91  coupler may have the friction-lock component on each end, as illustrated by reference character  180 ,  FIG. 10 . The structures and widths referenced in and for  FIGS. 10 and 11  are as described above. 
         [0066]      FIGS. 12 through 15  are illustrative of the details associated with the twist-lock  81  component. An additional feature to the component is the beveled edge  85  from the top  84  beveling toward the shaft  87  and the well  83  on the floor  89  of this component. The well  83  may be used to apply a tacky substance or more adhesive substance to thereby strengthen the fit when one twist-lock component  81  is inserted into another twist-lock component  81 . 
         [0067]    This improved multi-function cosmetic device accords a user greater flexibility of choice in selecting which configuration is best-suited for that user&#39;s purpose and greater flexibility and ease in modifying the working components on the device as best-suited for the particular operation. The stackability feature allows easily changing out the working ends. The dual working ends provides ease of switching which working end is desired at the moment. The locking features, twist-lock and friction-lock, make for a sturdy two-working component device; i.e., a working component on both ends of the device each of which are held steadfast in place. 
         [0068]    The present disclosure includes that contained in the present claims as well as that of the foregoing description. Although this improved cosmetic and manicuring device has been described in its preferred forms with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred forms has been made only by way of example and numerous changes in the details of construction and combination and arrangement of parts and method steps may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the improved cosmetic and manicuring device as set forth in this disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the improved cosmetic and manicuring device should be determined not by the embodiment]s[ illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. 
         [0069]    Applicant has attempted to disclose all the embodiment[s] of the improved cosmetic and manicuring device that could be reasonably foreseen. It must be understood, however, that there may be unforeseeable insubstantial modifications to improved cosmetic and manicuring device as set forth in this disclosure that remain as equivalents and thereby falling within the scope of the improved cosmetic and manicuring device.