Abstract:
A portable, easy to use nail polish pen or stylus for women who need to touch up, repair, or apply new nail polish to their fingernails while on the go. In one form, the nail polish pen includes a two piece elongated cylindrical body into which a disposable fingernail polish cartridge is placed. Upon combining the pen pieces, the polish cartridge is opened and the fingernail polish contained therein is directed to flow into a porous tip positioned in one end of the polish pen. The tip may then be stroked over the fingernails to coat them with polish. Spare tips are stored in a compartment in the nail polish pen.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to personal grooming and, more particularly, to a stylus for applying polish or paint to fingernails. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Fingernail polish is typically packaged in small bottles, each including a cap having an applicator brush extending therefrom. The caps typically screw onto the bottles, with the brush extending into the polish. In use, the cap is first unscrewed from the bottle and retracted therefrom to expose the polish-laden brush. Excess polish is then removed from the brush (usually by stroking the brush against the rim of the bottle) and polish is then applied to a fingernail by stroking the brush thereacross. During the application process, the bottle is customarily placed on a flat, stable surface, since it is difficult to hold the bottle in either hand while applying fingernail polish. After all of the desired fingernails have been polished, the bottle is recapped and stored until the next use. 
     The conventional bottle and brush fingernail polish storage and application system has several disadvantages. One such disadvantage is that typical fingernail polish bottles are not well suited for portability in pockets or purses. The bottles are irregularly shaped and have caps that typically protrude from the main bottle body. Such protruding caps are easily entangled with other items stored in a purse. Such entanglement of the caps and bottles with the remaining contents of a purse is inconvenient at least and may lead to loosening or premature removal of the cap while the bottle is still in the purse. Such a mishap could easily result in the nail polish contents of the bottle spilling onto the remaining contents and interior of the purse, damaging and/or ruining them. 
     Another disadvantage of the traditional nail polish bottle is the requirement that the bottle rest on a flat surface while a user applies the polish. This requirement arises as a user must hold the brush in one hand while applying polish to the other hand. Thus, the traditional design necessitates a flat and relatively stable surface to be present for the bottle in order for nail polish to be applied. 
     Still another disadvantage with the traditional nail polish bottle is solvent loss occurring at the bottle cap seal. Over time, the solvent that keeps the polish flowable is lost through the cap seal (this occurs faster once the bottle has been opened for the first time, but will occur nonetheless with unopened bottles), resulting in contents that are increasingly viscous and sticky. This is undesirable both because thickened nail polish provides a less even and attractive nail coat, and because thickened nail polish acts to glue the bottle cap to the bottle. Eventually, the polish becomes so thick from solvent loss that the polish is useless, even if the bottle can still be opened. 
     There is therefore a need for a nail polish container/applicator that may be easily carried about with minimized risk of solvent loss and that may be utilized without the need for a convenient and stable flat surface. The present invention is directed toward meeting this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a stylus for containing and applying fingernail polish. The stylus includes an applicator end portion with an applicator tip extending therefrom, a hollow inner body portion adapted to contain a polish cartridge or packet, and an end enclosure portion adapted to hold spare tips. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a stylus having a matably threaded inner and outer body portion, the magnitude interior stylus volume defined therein for a polish packet being a function of how far the outer body portion is screwed onto the inner body portion. Decreasing the interior stylus volume likewise decreases the polish packet volume and urges polish to extrude from the stylus through the tip. 
     One object of the present invention is to provide an improved fingernail polish container. Related objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a partial sectional side elevational view of a first embodiment nail polish applicator stylus of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2A is a front elevational view of a nail polish cartridge of the embodiment of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 2B is a side elevational view of FIG. 2A 
     FIG. 3 is a partial sectional side elevational view of a second embodiment nail polish applicator stylus of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a nail polish cartridge of the embodiment of FIG. 3 . 
     FIG. 5A is a schematic view of a distal portion of FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 5B is a schematic view of a proximal portion of FIG. 3 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. 
     FIGS. 1,  2 A, and  2 B illustrate a first embodiment of the present invention, a stylus system  10  adapted to contain and direct a supply of fingernail polish. The stylus system  10  includes an elongated, generally cylindrical hollow body portion  12 , a cartridge or fluid reservoir  14  adapted to rest within the body portion  12 , and a tip portion  16 , adapted to connect to the body portion  12  and extend therefrom. 
     The body portion  12  includes a first or proximal portion  20  and a second or distal portion  22 . The first and second portions  20 ,  22  are connectable to define a central inner volume  24 . The first and second portions  20 ,  22  may be connected by any convenient means, such as an interference fit, matable threads, or the like. 
     The first portion  20  further includes a tip holder  26  adapted to engage a tip portion  16 . The tip portion  16  is preferably formed from some porous material, such as felt, nylon, or sponge. The tip portion  16  may be formed in a variety of shapes (i.e., flat, conical, wide, narrow, etc . . . ) and preferably several differently shaped tip portions  16  are provided for different polishing needs. The tip holder  26  is preferably positioned opposite the second portion  22 . The tip holder  26  is operationally connected to the elongated hollow body portion  12  in fluid communication with the inner volume  24  by a polish conduit  28 . In other words, the conduit  28  fluidically connects the tip portion  16  to the central inner volume  24 . The polish conduit  28  includes a raised joint  30  extending into the inner volume  24 . The raised joint  30  is preferably circular, but may have any convenient shape. 
     The second portion  22  further includes a biasing member  34  adapted to provide a biasing force to a cartridge  14  resting within the inner volume  24 . The biasing member is preferably a spring or the like, and is more preferably positioned in the inner volume  24  opposite the first portion  20 . The second portion  22  may also include a tip storage volume  40  wherein spare tips  16  may be kept pending their use. 
     The stylus system  10  further preferably includes a front cap  42  adapted to fit over an engaged tip  16  and the tip holder  26 . The front cap  42  is preferably further adapted to snugly engage the first portion  20  to minimize solvent leakage therefrom. The front cap  42  is more preferably adapted to snugly engage the first portion  20  by means of an interference fit, but may alternately snugly engage the first portion  20  by any convenient engagement means. The stylus system  10  also preferably includes an end cap  50  adapted to enclose the tip storage volume  40 . 
     The polish cartridge  14  is a generally cylindrical container for enclosing a volume of fingernail polish. The cartridge  14  is preferably sized to fit snugly within the inner volume  24 , although the cartridge  14  may alternately be sized to fit loosely therein. The cart ridge  14  is preferably formed from some lightweight structural material such as aluminum or plastic. The cartridge  14  also preferably includes a foil sealed aperture  52  formed in one end thereof. The foil sealed aperture  52  is shaped and sized to snugly engage the joint  30  to form a substantially fluid-tight seal allowing fluid communication from the cartridge  14  through the conduit  28  to the tip  16 . It should be noted that while this is the preferred system of fluid communication between the cartridge  14  and the tip  16 , any means of fluid communication between the cartridge  14  and the tip  16  known to one skilled in the art may be chosen. 
     In operation, the cartridge  14  is placed into the first portion  20  with the foil sealed aperture  52  aligned with the circular joint  30 . The second portion  22  is joined with the first portion  20  such that the cartridge  14  is positioned within the inner volume  14  and the biasing member  34  urges the circular joint  30  to engage and break the foil sealed aperture  52 . Fingernail polish from the cartridge  14  is then in fluid communication with the tip  16 . The tip  16  preferably has sufficient porosity to convey fingernail polish readily therethrough without leaking the fingernail polish therefrom. The surface tension, tackiness and viscosity of fingernail polish is typically such that the polish will not readily leak from the tip portion  16 ; however, solvent may be evolved through the tip portion  16  such that the tip portion  16  “dries out” and becomes inoperative. Therefore, it is preferred that the front cap  42  be engaged whenever the stylus system  10  is not in use. It is also preferable that a cartridge  14  not be loaded into the stylus system  10  until it is desired to polish fingernails. 
     It is preferred that the cartridge  14  be sized to hold just enough polish to fully coat one set (i.e., ten) of fingernails. Fingernails may be polished by stroking the tip portion  16  evenly over each nail. The tip portion  16  preferably includes a fine edge or point for performing detailed polish work. After use, the expended cartridge  14  and tip portion  16  may be disposed of. More preferably, the fluid conduit  28  should be cleaned with solvent between uses to prevent clogging and color mixing. Alternately, the cartridge  14  may be sized to hold a larger amount of polish sufficient for multiple polishings. The fingernail polish filling a larger cartridge  14  would preferably be formulated with a solvent having both a relatively low viscosity and low volatility, such that the solvent remains fluid and evaporates slowly. 
     FIGS. 3-5B illustrate another embodiment of the present invention, a stylus system  10 A having an elongated hollow body portion  12 A including a collapsibly interlocking first portion  20 A and second portion  22 A. Preferably, the first portion  20 A includes an exterior set of threads  54 A and the second portion  22 A includes an interior set of threads  56 A removably matable with the exterior set of threads  54 A. The first and second portions  20 A,  22 A screw together to form the substantially cylindrical elongated hollow body portion  12 A having a variable central inner volume  24 A. The magnitude of the central inner volume  24 A is a function of the degree to which the respective threads  54 A,  56 A are interlockingly engaged. In other words, the more the first and second portions  20 A,  22 A are screwed together, the smaller the inner volume  24 A becomes. 
     The first portion  20 A also includes a tip holder  26 A adapted to engage a tip portion  16 A. The tip portion  16 A is preferably formed from some porous material, such as felt, nylon, or sponge. The tip holder  26 A is preferably positioned opposite the second portion  24 A. The tip holder  26 A is connected in fluid communication with the inner volume  24 A by a polish conduit  28 A. The polish conduit  28 A includes a raised, circular joint  30 A extending into the inner volume  24 A. The second portion  22 A preferably includes a tip storage volume  40 A wherein spare tips  16 A may be kept pending their use. 
     The stylus system  10 A further preferably includes a front cap  42 A adapted to fit over an engaged tip  16 A and the tip holder  26 A. The front cap  42 A is preferably further adapted to snugly engage the first portion  20 A to minimize solvent leakage therefrom. The stylus system  10 A also preferably includes an end cap  50 A adapted to enclose the tip storage volume  40 A. 
     The polish or fluid reservoir cartridge  14 A is a generally cylindrical container and acts as a reservoir for a volume of fingernail polish. The fluid reservoir cartridge  14 A includes a substantially rigid portion  58 A attached to a collapsible portion  60 A. The fluid reservoir cartridge  14 A is preferably sized to fit snugly within the inner volume  24 A, although the fluid reservoir cartridge  14 A may be sized to fit loosely therein. The substantially rigid portion  58 A of the fluid reservoir cartridge  14 A is preferably formed from some lightweight structural material such as aluminum, plastic or the like. The collapsible portion  60 A is preferably formed of a flexible material such as metal foil, polymer sheet or the like. The fluid reservoir cartridge  14 A also preferably includes a foil sealed aperture  52 A formed in the substantially rigid portion  58 A. The foil sealed aperture  52 A is sized to snugly engage the circular joint  30 A to form a substantially fluid-tight seal allowing fluid communication from the cartridge  14 A, through the conduit  28 A and to the tip  16 A. It should be noted that while this is the preferred system of fluid communication between the cartridge  14 A and the tip  16 A, any means of fluid communication between the cartridge  14 A and the tip  16 A known to one skilled in the art may be chosen. 
     In operation, the fluid reservoir cartridge  14 A is placed into the first portion  20 A with the foil sealed aperture  52 A aligned with the circular joint  30 A. While filled with fingernail polish, the cartridge is quasi-rigid and may be readily so aligned. The second portion  22 A is matably connected to the first portion  20 A, the respective threads  54 A,  56 A interlocked until the circular joint  30 A is urged to engage and break the foil sealed aperture  52 A. Fingernail polish from the cartridge  14 A is then put in fluid communication with the tip  16 A. The tip  16 A preferably has sufficient porosity to convey fingernail polish therethrough without leaking the fingernail polish therefrom. The fingernail polish contained in the fluid reservoir cartridge  14 A may have a substantially high viscosity. Further engagement of the respective threads  54 A,  56 A (i.e., screwing the first body portion  20 A and the second body portion  22 A further together) diminishes the inner volume  24 A and accordingly applies pressure to the fluid reservoir cartridge  14 A, urging the fluid reservoir cartridge  14 A to likewise decrease in volume. As sufficient pressure is applied to the fluid reservoir cartridge  14 A thereto, the collapsible portion  60 A collapses, urging polish out of the fluid reservoir cartridge  14 A, through the conduit  28 A, and out of the tip portion  16 A. As more polish is used, the body portions  20 A,  22 A may be screwed further together to maintain adequate flow of polish through the tip portion  16 A. 
     The surface tension, tackiness and viscosity of fingernail polish is typically such that the polish will not readily leak from the tip portion  16 A absent applied pressure; however, solvent may be evolved through the tip portion  16 A such that the tip portion  16 A “dries out” and becomes inoperative. Therefore, it is preferred that the front cap  42 A be engaged whenever the stylus system  10 A is not in use. It is also preferable that a cartridge  14 A not be loaded into the stylus system  10 A until it is desired to polish fingernails. 
     The cartridge  14 A may be sized to hold just enough polish to fully coat one set of fingernails. Fingernails may be coated by stroking the porous tip portion  16 A evenly over each nail. After use, the expended cartridge  14 A and tip  16 A may be disposed of. More preferably, the fluid conduit  28 A should be cleaned with solvent between uses to prevent clogging and color mixing. Alternately, the cartridge  14 A may be sized to hold a larger amount of polish sufficient for multiple polishings. The fingernail polish filling a larger cartridge  14 A would preferably be formulated with a solvent having both a relatively low viscosity and low volatility, such that the solvent remains fluid and evaporates slowly. 
     While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are to be desired to be protected.