AU2011100909A4 - An Applicator Assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

An applicator assembly for storing and applying nail varnish to fingernails includes an applicator. The applicator includes a closure, a stem extending from the closure and a brush tip arranged on an end of the stem, suitable for applying nail varnish to a nail. A receptacle stores the liquid. The receptacle is generally elongate to define an elongate storage volume to receive the stem and brush tip and defines an opening at one end of the storage volume. The closure of the applicator is fastenable to the receptacle such that the closure can open or close the storage volume. The storage volume and the stem are dimensioned so that an average clearance between the stem and an internal wall of the receptacle is between 0.5 mm and 3 mm. r*,4 m cu w to 0 _ u C-) Nt

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION An Applicator Assembly 5 FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an applicator assembly for storing and applying nail varnish to fingernails. 0 BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Nail varnish is sold in many different colours and styles. Also, clients often require customised colours. It can be both inconvenient and expensive to mix and store batches of nail varnish merely for the purpose of testing or promoting new colours and/or styles. In many cases, a client has had a customised colour and/or style of nail varnish applied at 5 a nail bar or the like and only requires very small amounts for touching up purposes, for example, where some of the varnish is chipped from a fingernail. In these cases, it would again be both inconvenient and expensive for the client to be forced to purchase a conventional amount of nail varnish or even to visit the nail bar or the like again. 0 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the invention, there is provided an applicator assembly for storing and applying nail varnish to fingernails, the applicator assembly comprising an applicator, the applicator including a closure, a stem extending from the closure and a brush tip arranged on an end of the stem, suitable for applying nail varnish to a nail; and 25 a receptacle for storing the liquid, the receptacle being generally elongate to define an elongate storage volume to receive the stem and brush tip and defining an opening at one end of the storage volume, the closure of the applicator being fastenable to the receptacle such that the closure can open or close the storage volume, the storage volume and the stem being dimensioned so that an average clearance between the stem and an internal wall of the receptacle 30 is between 1 mm and 3 mm. The length of the storage volume may correspond generally with the length of the stem and the brush tip. Both the stem and the internal volume may be substantially cylindrical. The length of the brush tip and the relative dimensions of the stem and the storage volume are such that when a suitable amount of nail varnish is received in the storage volume, at least the brush tip is immersed in the nail varnish when the closure is secured to the receptacle. Said suitable amount of nail varnish may be that required for use as a sample or for touch up purposes. For example, said suitable amount may be not more than 2 mL and preferably not more than 1 mL. 5 The closure and the receptacle may both be cylindrical. Furthermore, the closure and the receptacle may have the same diameter so that the closure is flush with respect to the receptacle when fastened. Both the closure and the receptacle may have rounded ends to provide an overall appearance of the applicator assembly in the form of a cylinder with rounded ends. An end portion of the receptacle that defines the opening may be of reduced diameter and 0 may define an external thread. The closure may define a corresponding internal thread so that the closure can be screwed onto the receptacle. In one embodiment, the end portion may define a frustoconical inlet that tapers outwardly towards the opening. This can assist with feeding nail varnish into the receptacle. Furthermore, this facilitates guidance of the brush tip back into the receptacle for re-application or storage. 5 The invention is now described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following description is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope of the preceding paragraphs or the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 0 Figure 1 shows an applicator assembly, in accordance with the invention, for nail varnish. Figure 2 shows a plan view of a receptacle of the applicator assembly from an opening end of the receptacle. Figure 3 shows a sectioned view of the receptacle taken through A-A in figure 2. Figure 4 shows a three-dimensional view of the receptacle. 25 Figure 5 shows a side view of an applicator of the assembly of figure 1. Figure 6 shows a plan view of the applicator. Figure 7 shows a sectioned view of the applicator taken through A-A in figure 6. Figure 8 shows a three dimensional view of the applicator. 30 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In figure 1, reference number 10 generally indicates an applicator assembly, in accordance with the invention, for applying nail varnish to fingernails. In particular, the applicator assembly is configured for applying amounts of nail varnish that would generally be considered as sample or touch up amounts in the industry. For example, the amount of nail varnish could be sufficient for varnishing one or two nails. Thus, the amount of nail varnish would preferably be less than 1 mL. In some cases the amount could be up to 2 mL. 5 The applicator assembly 10 includes an applicator 12 (figures 5 to 8). The applicator 12 includes a cap or closure 14 suitable for gripping, a stem 16 extending from the closure 14 and a brush tip 18 arranged on an end of the stem 16. The brush tip 18 is suitable for applying nail varnish to a fingernail. The assembly 10 includes a receptacle 20. The receptacle 20 is generally elongate and 0 defines an elongate storage volume 22 that corresponds substantially with a length of the stem 16 and brush tip 18. The receptacle 20 defines an opening 24 at one end of the storage volume 22. The closure 14 can be fastened to the receptacle 20 such that the closure 14 can open or close the storage volume 22. The storage volume 22 and the stem 16 are dimensioned so that an average clearance between the stem 16 and an internal surface 26 of the receptacle 20 is between 0.5 mm 5 and 3 mm. In particular, the clearance can be between 1.0 mm and 2.5 mm. These relative dimensions inhibit the storage of more than a sample amount of varnish in the receptacle. It will be appreciated that if a predetermined amount of varnish is exceeded, the varnish will be displaced from the receptacle 20 when the stem 16 is received within the volume 22. This differs from conventional nail varnish applicator assemblies where the stem extends into 0 an enlarged volume for prolonged storage of the nail varnish. It follows that the applicator assembly 10 can be used for storing sample-sized volumes of varnish. This allows the applicator assembly to be used as a promotional device for promoting new colours and styles of varnish without the supplier having to bear the costs of supplying conventional amounts of nail varnish. Furthermore, the applicator assembly can be used for customising colours and styles for 25 particular clients. For example, a colour and/or style of varnish can be mixed or made up for a client and given to the client in the applicator assembly of this invention. The client can then test the colour and/or style at his or her convenience. In another application, the applicator assembly can be used for storing sample amounts of nail varnish which have been applied to a client's fingernails at a nail bar, salon or other similar 30 outlet or service provider. Thus, the client can use the applicator assembly 10 for touching up areas where the varnish is removed for some reason, for example by chipping. In this application, the applicator assembly can also serve the purpose of a promotional device.

It follows that the applicator assembly can readily be configured to carry information relating to a particular nail varnish, a service outlet where the nail varnish is applied, or any other information. Both the stem 16 and internal volume 22 are substantially cylindrical. The length of the 5 brush tip 18 and the relative dimensions of the stem 16 and the storage volume 22 are such that when a sample amount of nail varnish is received in the storage volume 22, at least the brush tip 18 is immersed in the nail varnish when the closure 14 is secured to the receptacle 20. The closure 14 and the receptacle 20 are both cylindrical. Furthermore, the closure 14 and the receptacle 20 have the same diameter so that the closure 14 is flush with respect to the 0 receptacle 20 when fastened. Both the closure 18 and the receptacle 20 have rounded ends to provide an overall appearance of the applicator assembly 10 of a cylinder with rounded ends. As can be seen in figures 2 to 4, an end portion 28 of the receptacle 20 defines a frustoconical inlet 30 that is of a reduced diameter. An external thread 32 is defined by the end portion 28. The closure 14 defines a corresponding internal thread 34 so that the closure 14 can 5 be screwed onto the receptacle 20. The frustoconical inlet 30 tapers outwardly towards the opening 24. This can assist with feeding nail varnish into the receptacle 20. Furthermore, it facilitates guidance of the brush tip 18 back into the receptacle 20 for re-application or storage. As can be seen in figure 3, an inner end of the volume 22 is rounded. This suits the 0 storage of a sample size volume of nail varnish and also ensures that nail varnish is not lodged in corners. As can be seen in figures 7 and 8, the closure 14 is in the form of a cap 36 in which an enlarged end 38 of the stem 16 is retained. An internal end portion of the cap 36 defines the internal thread 34. 25 The end portion 28 of the receptacle 20 and the enlarged end 38 of the stem 16 are configured so that when the cap 36 is screwed onto the end portion 28, the end portion 28 bears against the enlarged end 38 of the stem 16 so that varnish is inhibited from leaking into a threaded joint defined by the internal and external threads 34, 32 when the applicator assembly 10 is closed. 30 In one example, the receptacle 20 is approximately twice the length of the closure 12. For example, the receptacle 20 can be about 50 mm long while the closure 14 can be about 25 mm long. The diameter of both the receptacle 20 and the closure 14 can be between about 10 mm and 15 mm. A diameter of the storage volume 22 can be between about 3 mm and 7 mm. However, for a standard stem 16, the diameter of the storage volume should be about 4 mm. Throughout the specification, including the claims, where the context permits, the term "comprising" and variants thereof such as "comprise" or "comprises" are to be interpreted as 5 including the stated integer or integers without necessarily excluding any other integers. It is to be understood that the terminology employed above is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The described embodiments are intended to be illustrative of the invention, without limiting the scope thereof. The invention is capable of being practiced with various modifications and additions as will readily occur to those skilled in 0 the art. Various substantially and specifically practical and useful exemplary embodiments of the claimed subject matter, are described herein, textually and/or graphically, including the best mode, if any, known to the inventors for carrying out the claimed subject matter. Variations (e.g., modifications and/or enhancements) of one or more embodiments described herein might 5 become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading this application. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the claimed subject matter to be practiced other than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, as permitted by law, the claimed subject matter includes and covers all equivalents of the claimed subject matter and all improvements to the claimed subject matter. Moreover, every 0 combination of the above described elements, activities, and all possible variations thereof are encompassed by the claimed subject matter unless otherwise clearly indicated herein, clearly and specifically disclaimed, or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., "such as") provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate one or more embodiments and does not pose a 25 limitation on the scope of any claimed subject matter unless otherwise stated. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed subject matter as essential to the practice of the claimed subject matter. Thus, regardless of the content of any portion (e.g., title, field, background, summary, description, abstract, drawing figure, etc.) of this application, unless clearly specified to the 30 contrary, such as via explicit definition, assertion, or argument, or clearly contradicted by context, with respect to any claim, whether of this application and/or any claim of any application claiming priority hereto, and whether originally presented or otherwise: there is no requirement for the inclusion of any particular described or illustrated characteristic, function, activity, or element, any particular sequence of activities, or any particular interrelationship of elements; no characteristic, function, activity, or element is "essential"; 5 any elements can be integrated, segregated, and/or duplicated; any activity can be repeated, any activity can be performed by multiple entities, and/or any activity can be performed in multiple jurisdictions; and any activity or element can be specifically excluded, the sequence of activities can vary, and/or the interrelationship of elements can vary. 0 The use of the terms "a", "an", "said", "the", and/or similar referents in the context of describing various embodiments (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms "comprising," "having," "including," and "containing" are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited to,") unless 5 otherwise noted. Moreover, when any number or range is described herein, unless clearly stated otherwise, that number or range is approximate. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value and each separate subrange 0 defined by such separate values is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. For example, if a range of 1 to 10 is described, that range includes all values therebetween, such as for example, 1.1, 2.5, 3.335, 5, 6.179, 8.9999, etc., and includes all subranges therebetween, such as for example, I to 3.65, 2.8 to 8.14, 1.93 to 9, etc. Accordingly, every portion (e.g., title, field, background, summary, description, abstract, 25 drawing figure, etc.) of this application, other than the claims themselves, is to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive, and the scope of subject matter protected by any patent that issues based on this application is defined only by the claims of that patent.

Claims (5)

1. An applicator assembly for storing and applying nail varnish to fingernails, the applicator assembly comprising 5 an applicator, the applicator including a closure, a stem extending from the closure and a brush tip arranged on an end of the stem, suitable for applying nail varnish to a nail; and a receptacle for storing the liquid, the receptacle being generally elongate to define an elongate storage volume to receive the stem and brush tip and defining an opening at one end of the storage volume, the closure of the applicator being fastenable to the receptacle such that the 0 closure can open or close the storage volume, the storage volume and the stem being dimensioned so that an average clearance between the stem and an internal wall of the receptacle is between 0.5 mm and 3 mm.

2. An applicator assembly as claimed in claims, in which the length of the storage 5 volume corresponds generally with the length of the stem and the brush tip.

3. An applicator assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2 in which both the stem and the internal volume are substantially cylindrical, a length of the brush tip and the relative dimensions of the stem and the storage volume being such that when less than 2 mL of nail varnish is 0 received in the storage volume, at least the brush tip can be immersed in the nail varnish when the closure is secured to the receptacle.

4. A applicator assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the closure and the receptacle are both cylindrical, the closure and the receptacle having the same 25 diameter so that the closure is flush with respect to the receptacle when fastened and an end portion of the receptacle defining the opening defines a frustoconical inlet that tapers outwardly towards the opening.

5. An applicator assembly for storing and applying nail varnish to fingernails, 30 substantially as described herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings.