Abstract:
A nail polish applicator having illumination means. A main body of the nail polish applicator supports a brush holder and brush. The main body houses a power source, one or more light devices arranged on a printed circuit board housed by said main body to direct light to the brush and activation means configured to illuminate the light devices. The light devices may be conventional or focused light emitting diodes. Three light emitting diodes may be evenly spaced about the printed circuit board housed in the main body and activated by an automatic or manual switch.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/087,999 filed Aug. 11, 2008. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The embodiments of the present invention relate to a nail polish applicator having illumination means for lighting a fingernail area during the application of nail polish. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Cosmetics are a multi-billion dollar industry with nail polish sales contributing significantly to the sales figures. Despite the tremendous sales volume for nail polish, the method of applying fingernail polish has remained substantially unchanged since its inception. Typically, nail polish is applied using a brush attached to an applicator. While this configuration is suitable, improvements are possible to improve the quality of applied nail polish. 
         [0004]    Thus, there continues to be a need for an improved nail polish applicator which advantageously improves a user&#39;s ability to apply nail polish in low light environments. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    Accordingly, a first embodiment of the present invention is a nail polish applicator having one or more light devices configured to illuminate a fingernail during the nail polish application process. In one embodiment, three light devices are evenly spaced on a printed circuit board housed in a main body of a nail polish applicator and directed at the applicator brush and fingernail. Different techniques, including switches and buttons, for activating the light devices are disclosed. 
         [0006]    Other variations, embodiments and features of the present invention will become evident from the following detailed description, drawings and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a nail polish applicator and bottle in a closed position according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  illustrates a cross-sectional view along A of the nail polish applicator and bottle as shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  illustrates an exploded perspective view of the nail polish applicator and bottle according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of the nail polish applicator and bottle in an open position according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  illustrates a bottom view of the nail polish applicator according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a nail polish applicator according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  illustrates an exploded perspective view of a nail polish applicator according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments 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. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive feature illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention claimed. 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a nail polish container including a nail polish applicator  18  and bottle  10  in a closed position. The nail polish applicator  18  includes a cap  24  which may be a separate piece or integral with the nail polish applicator  18 . Removal of the cap  24  allows access to housed electrical components. While the nail polish applicator  18  is shown having an elongated tapered configuration and the bottle  10  is shown having a bulbous configuration, those skilled in the art will recognize that the nail polish applicator  18  and bottle  10  may take on any shape, form and size suitable to apply and hold nail polish. 
         [0016]      FIGS. 2 and 3  show cross-sectional and exploded views, respectively, of the nail polish applicator  18  and bottle  10 .  FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of the nail polish applicator  18  and bottle  10  separated. The nail polish applicator  18  has a main body having a conventional brush holder  12  extending therefrom wherein the brush holder  12  retains nail polish brush  11 . The active electronic components which facilitate the embodiments of the present invention reside within internal cavities housed within the main body of the nail polish applicator  18  and enclosed with cap  24 . 
         [0017]    In one embodiment, three light emitting devices  14 A,  14 B and  14 C are spaced evenly (i.e., 120 degrees apart) about and connected to a printed circuit board (PCB)  15 . A PCB cover  13  protects the PCB  15  and includes openings through which LEDs  14 A,  14 B and  14 C insert. In one embodiment, the LEDs are white and conventional in nature. In another embodiment, the LEDs may be focused slightly inward towards the brush  11  to enhance the effects of the light. In other embodiments, more or less than three LEDs may be used. In other embodiments, different light devices, including mini CFLs, OLEDs and mini halogen lamps, may be used in place of the LEDs. 
         [0018]    Activation of the LEDs  14 A,  14 B and  14 C is controlled by the configuration of switch  16 , switch spring  17  and PCB  15 . Switch spring  17  is compressed by the switch  16  when the nail polish applicator  18  is screwed in place on the bottle  10  and the upper disc of the switch  16  is not in contact with the PCB  15  such that the LEDs  14 A,  14 B and  14 C are not illuminated. In other words, the light circuit is open. The upper surface of the bottle  10  adjacent to the threaded protrusion maintains the switch  16  fully contained within the nail polish applicator  18  when the nail polish applicator  18  is screwed closed. When the nail polish applicator  18  is unscrewed from the bottle  10 , the switch spring  17  expands and pushes the switch  16  downward causing the upper disc of the switch  16  to make contact with the PCB  15  thereby closing the light circuit. In this position, a lower portion of the switch  16  extends below and out of the bottom surface of the nail polish applicator  18 . With the light circuit closed, power from the batteries  21 A,  21 B,  21 C and  21 D is transmitted to the LEDs  14 A,  14 B and  14 C via wires (not shown) connected to a bottom contact plate  20  and top contact plate  23  though wire passages  19 . The bottom contact plate  20  and top contact plate  23  sandwich batteries  21 A- 21 D and the LEDs  14 A,  14 B and  14 C. 
         [0019]    In another embodiment, a manually operated switch or button on the nail polish applicator  18  allows a user to activate the LEDs  14 A,  14 B and  14 C when desired. The switch or button operate to close and open the circuit in the same or similar manner as the automated configuration described above. 
         [0020]    The batteries  21 A- 21 D, as shown, are button cell, silver button cell, coin cell or similar types stacked on top of one another. The batteries  21 A- 21 D are sandwiched between a bottom contact plate  20  and top contact plate  23 . A battery spring  22  is positioned above the top contact plate  23  to maintain the batteries  21 A- 21 D in firm contact with one another. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other battery types may be used. It is conceivable that the nail polish container may be powered by one or more rechargeable batteries such that the a power cord is insertable at a first end into the nail polish container and a second end into an electrical outlet thereby charging the rechargeable batteries. 
         [0021]    Now referring to  FIG. 5 , in one embodiment, the LEDs  14 A,  14 B and  14 C are spaced evenly 120 degrees around the PCB  15  and through the PCB cover  13 . This configuration provides an even light pattern at the area of the brush  11  thereby lighting the fingernail and brush  11  contact point. Focused LEDs can further focus the light on the contact point. Those skilled in the art will understand that additional LEDs may be used and spaced evenly (e.g., 4 LEDs spaced 90 degrees). Less than three LEDs may be used as well (e.g., 2 LEDs spaced 180 degrees).  FIG. 5  also shows the switch  16  extending from the nail polish applicator  18 . 
         [0022]      FIGS. 6 and 7  show an alternative configuration wherein the batteries  21 A- 21 D are directly wired to the LEDs  14 A,  14 B and  14 C. In this embodiment, the bottom contact plate  20 , top contact plate  22  and battery spring  23  are not necessary. A first positive wire  25 A and second negative wire  25 B lead to each of the LEDs  14 A,  14 B and  14 C through wire passage  19  thus transmitting the necessary power. 
         [0023]    The main body, including the electrical component cavities, of the nail polish applicator  18  may be formed using injection molding, machining or other fabrication methods. The elements described herein may be made of any suitable materials including plastics, composites, alloys and the like. 
         [0024]    Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to several embodiments, additional variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.