Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Nail polish bottles can leak, particularly if the cap isn&#39;t closed properly. The present invention features a holding system for holding a bottle of nail polish and an anti-leak system for preventing the bottle of nail polish from leaking, for example if the cap is not completely closed. 
     Any feature or combination of features described herein are included within the scope of the present invention provided that the features included in any such combination are not mutually inconsistent as will be apparent from the context, this specification, and the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art. Additional advantages and aspects of the present invention are apparent in the following detailed description and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the holding system of the present invention, wherein the lid is in the open position. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the holding system of the present invention, wherein the lid is in the closed position. 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the holding system of the present invention, wherein the lid is in the open position. 
         FIG. 4  is a side cross sectional view of the holding system of the present invention, wherein the lid is in the open position. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the holding system of the present invention, wherein the lid is in the open position. 
         FIG. 6  is an in-use perspective view of the anti-leak system of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a side cross sectional view of the anti-leak system of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of the of the anti-leak system of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1-8 , the present invention features a holding system ( 100 ) and an anti-leak system ( 600 ) for nail polish bottles ( 101 ). 
     As shown in  FIG. 1-5 , the holding system ( 100 ) is adapted to hold one or more nail polish bottles ( 101 ). The holding system ( 100 ) comprises a base ( 110 ) having a top surface ( 115 ) wherein at least one cavity ( 120 ) is disposed in the top surface ( 115 ) adapted to hold a nail polish bottle ( 101 ). The base ( 110 ), e.g., as shown in  FIG. 1-5 , may have a front surface ( 113 ), a back surface ( 114 ), a first side ( 111 ), a second side ( 112 ), and a bottom surface ( 116 ). 
     The holding system ( 100 ) further comprises a lid ( 140 ) attached (e.g., pivotally attached) to the base ( 110 ). The lid ( 140 ) can move, e.g., pivot, between at least an open position and a closed position respectively allowing and preventing access to the top surface ( 115 ) and cavities ( 120 ) of the base ( 110 ). In some embodiments, a handle ( 148 ) is disposed on the lid ( 140 ), e.g., the top surface of the lid ( 140 ), for aiding in the movement of the lid ( 140 ) between the open position and closed position. 
     In some embodiments, the lid ( 140 ) functions to press down on the cap ( 105 ) of the nail polish bottle ( 101 ). In some embodiments, the pressure on the cap ( 105 ) can help prevent nail polish from leaking out of the nail polish bottle ( 101 ), e.g., if the cap ( 105 ) is not completely closed. 
     In some embodiments, a gasket (or other liquid-tight sealing mechanism) is disposed along the surface of the base ( 110 ) that contacts the lid ( 140 ) and/or along the surface of the lid ( 140 ) that contacts the base ( 110 ). The gasket (or liquid-tight sealing mechanism) can help to prevent nail polish from leaking out of the holding system ( 100 ) of a leak occurs inside the system ( 100 ). 
     In some embodiments, the holding system ( 100 ) further comprises a securing means ( 150 ) for securing the lid ( 140 ) in the closed position. The securing means ( 150 ) may include but is not limited to a snap mechanism, a magnet mechanism, a latch mechanism, a clasp mechanism, the like, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the securing means ( 150 ) comprises a first half securing means ( 150   a ) disposed on the base ( 110 ) and a second half securing means ( 150   b ) disposed on the lid ( 140 ) wherein when the lid ( 140 ) is in the closed position the first half securing means ( 150   a ) and second half securing means ( 150   b ) engage each other to temporarily secure the lid ( 140 ) in the closed position. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1-5 , the cavities ( 120 ) in the base ( 110 ) may be constructed in a variety of shapes and sizes. For example, in some embodiments, a cavity ( 120 ) is circular, oval, rectangular, and/or the like (as viewed from above the top surface ( 115 ) of the base ( 110 )). The present invention is not limited to the aforementioned shapes. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , in some embodiments, the base ( 110 ) is filled with a material, e.g., a foam material. The base ( 110 ) is not limited to foam and any other appropriate material may be used. The cavities ( 120 ) extend from the top surface ( 115 ) of the base ( 110 ) to at or near the bottom surface ( 116 ). 
     As shown in  FIG. 6-8 , the anti-leak system ( 600 ) helps to prevent a nail polish bottle from leaking (e.g., via the cap area), for example if the cap isn&#39;t completely closed (the cap is shown as not being fully closed in  FIG. 7 ). 
     The anti-leak system ( 600 ) comprises a collar ( 610 ) adapted to wrap around a portion of the nail polish bottle ( 101 ), e.g., the shoulder area ( 103 ), the threads ( 102 ), and the cap ( 105 ) or the nail polish bottle ( 101 ). The collar ( 610 ) is ring shaped as shown in  FIG. 8 . The collar ( 610 ) has a first end ( 611 ), a second end ( 612 ) opposite the first end ( 611 ), an outer surface ( 613 ), and an inner surface ( 614 ). The collar ( 610 ) may not necessarily be a complete ring, for example the first end ( 611 ) and second end ( 612 ) may be separated by a gap ( 619 ). 
     In some embodiments, the inner surface ( 614 ) comprises a foam material or other compressible material. The inner surface ( 614 ) of the collar ( 610 ) wraps around and cushions the shoulder area ( 103 ), threads ( 102 ) (if exposed), and at least the bottom portion of the cap ( 105 ) of the nail polish bottle ( 101 ). The foam or compressible material helps to fill in any exposed area of the threads ( 102 ) and cap ( 105 ) so as to prevent nail polish from leaking from the bottle ( 101 ). 
     In some embodiments, (e.g., as shown in  FIG. 6 ), the inner surface ( 614 ) of the collar ( 610 ) extends upwardly and/or downwardly past the outer surface ( 613 ) of the collar ( 610 ). 
     The collar ( 610 ) can move between at least a compressed position and a relaxed position. In the compressed position, the collar ( 610 ) is squeezed, e.g., such that the first end ( 611 ) and second end ( 612 ) move towards each other and meet or come in contact with each other. In the compressed position, the collar ( 610 ) helps to cushions the shoulder area ( 103 ), threads ( 102 ) (if exposed), and at least the bottom portion of the cap ( 105 ) of the nail polish bottle ( 101 ) and optionally fill in any exposed area of the threads ( 102 ) and cap ( 105 ) so as to prevent nail polish from leaking from the bottle ( 101 ). In the relaxed position, the first end ( 611 ) and second end ( 612 ) of the collar ( 610 ) are separated by the gap ( 619 ), and the collar ( 610 ) can be attached to or removed from the nail polish bottle ( 101 ). 
     The anti-leak system ( 600 ) further comprises a locking mechanism ( 650 ) for securing the collar ( 610 ) in the compressed position. 
     The locking mechanism ( 650 ) may include but is not limited to a snap mechanism, a magnet mechanism, a latch mechanism, a clasp mechanism, the like, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the locking mechanism ( 650 ) comprises a first half locking mechanism ( 650   a ) disposed at the first end ( 611 ) of the collar ( 610 ) and a second half locking mechanism ( 650   b ) disposed at the second end ( 6120 ) of the collar ( 610 ), wherein when the collar ( 610 ) is in the compressed position the first half locking mechanism ( 650   a ) and second half locking mechanism ( 650   b ) engage each other to temporarily secure the collar ( 610 ) in the compressed position. 
     The present invention also features a kit comprising a holding system ( 100 ) and an anti-leak system ( 600 ). 
     As used herein, the term “about” refers to plus or minus 10% of the referenced number. For example, an embodiment wherein the base is about 10 inches in length includes a base that is between 9 and 11 inches in length. 
     The disclosures of the following U.S. Patents are incorporated in their entirety by reference herein: U.S. Pat. No. 2,219,597; U.S. Pat. No. 2,209,781; U.S. Pat. No. 2,049,378; U.S. Pat. No. 6,109,442; U.S. Pat. No. 5,941,255. 
     Various modifications of the invention, in addition to those described herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. Such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. Each reference cited in the present application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     Although there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made thereto which do not exceed the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the scope of the invention is only to be limited by the following claims. 
     The reference numbers recited in the below claims are solely for ease of examination of this patent application, and are exemplary, and are not intended in any way to limit the scope of the claims to the particular features having the corresponding reference numbers in the drawings.

Technology Category: 7