WO2001001813A1

WO2001001813A1 - Cosmetic liquid applicator, especially suitable to be used as a nail polish remover

Info

Publication number: WO2001001813A1
Application number: PCT/HR1999/000015
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bogdan RODIĆ
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-06-30
Filing date: 1999-07-28
Publication date: 2001-01-11
Anticipated expiration: 2001-12-30
Also published as: AU5296699A

Abstract

The cosmetic liquid applicator, consisting of the two-part basic applicator body whereas one part contains the valve system (7') and the other the handle with the activation button (9') and the reservoir (10), and the two parts are connected by screwing in or by friction and, that it contains the replaceable brush (11) locked by means of turning the head (6) on the part (7'), that the valve part is made of the spring (3), the piston (2) and the seal (1) placed in the bearing (4) inserted and fixed by friction on the opposite side of the one where the replaceable brush (11) enters the body (7), that the replaceable reservoir is partly situated in the handle (9) and partly connected with the adapter (5) or directly with (4) if it by its form and function (5) integrates the cap that closes the operational part of the applicator, makes it airtight and comes onto the body (7).

Description

COSMETIC LIQUID APPLICATOR, ESPECIALLY SUITABLE TO BE USED AS A NAIL POLISH REMOVER

Technical Field

The cosmetic liquid applicator, especially suitable to be used as a nail polish remover, hereinafter abbreviated and referred to as the "applicator" in accordance with its basic function of a nail polish removing device can be classified in accordance with IPC⁶ as A 45 D 29/17. The symbol A 45 D 29/17 comprises all devices that are used in manicure and similar cosmetic interventions with a special emphasis being put on nail cleaning devices during a manicure or a pedicure. Since the invention itself is actually a liquid applicator brush, in a broader sense it can be classified as a brush with a reservoir for the liquid application on the brush. The liquid is emptied from the reservoir and the invention can thus - according to its use - be additionally classified as A 46 B 11/02 pursuant to the International Patent Classification. The above mentioned brushes are to be understood in the broadest sense possible, i.e. as part of the device that performs the cleaning function.

Technical Problem

One of the most common and unpleasant procedures during a manicure is removal of the existing nail polish. It is most often done by means of application of cotton strips or cotton wool balls dipped into an appropriate solvent that dissolves the nail polish. Such a method is very unpractical for a professional manicurist, as well as in case of personal use.

In order to promote his/her personal work, the professional manicurist must have flawless nails, which also means perfectly polished nails. In the application of the above mentioned old-fashioned method with cotton wool and a solvent, such solvent will sooner or later, due to inattentiveness or a capillary effect, come into contact with the nail polish on the professional manicurist's nails and spoil the perfect appearance. Furthermore, in personal use there is also a need to "improve" only one nail, which due to the lack of skill results in removing of nail polish from all nails and applying a new layer. Needless to say, the frequent use of solvents affects the nail surface so that the nails lose their quality regardless of the fact that nail polish removers contain not only dissolving agents but also oils and vitamins to help the nails recover after a treatment.

Apart from the above mentioned, there is also a need for a device that is clean, practical and precise to be applied on only one part of a nail, being at the same time so light as to be found in each toilet bag and so efficient as to be suitable for professional manicurists.

From a broader viewpoint, the liquid applicator could be efficiently applied for other cosmetic purposes such as cleaning of small and well-defined surfaces, e. g. in treatment of acne or application of eye shadow, foundation and similar substances of different viscosity and invasiveness grades.

In the broadest sense, the above mentioned invention could be used for restoration of works of art, repairs and preparations that include application of a liquid layer or film, as it is the case with soldering, removing fats and cleaning in precision engineering.

Such an applicator unites the function of a liquid reservoir and of an application/cleaning device and thus becomes a precise tool for the professional use in the above mentioned procedures, which should not necessarily be connected with the application for cosmetic purposes. The design must be simple, practical and durable, and all these requirements have been completely met in this invention.

Background Art

Due to the fact that the technical field in question is rather broadly specified, we would concentrate on the devices that, in our opinion, represent a basis for discussion and which are according to their structure relevant for the presented applicator.

The very idea is relatively well known. The applicator described in the patent document US 4,998,839 (inventor Irfan Bashir) basically consists of a hollow housing member having a first chamber which houses a wetted coiled strip of absorbent material and a second chamber which receives soiled absorbent material, the first and second chambers being separated by a flexible membrane which permits enlargement of the space within the second chamber by displacement of the space within the first chamber. The advantages of this applicator comprise relative simplicity of its construction, while the main drawbacks include the existence of absorbent material in the coiled strip, as well as the possibility of precise application outside the domain of nail polish removing.

The patent documents US 4,699,161; US 4,854,761 and US 4,884,913 (in all documents the inventors are Smith and Kautman) provide a unique solution of nail polish removing. Said inventions have a cartridge of absorbent pads in the tubular device. The wands are questionably efficient in the treatment of a single nail, however according to their construction they are not suitable for a more precise application due to a relatively large area of the "cleaning pad".

The liquid applicator that may be also used for cosmetic purposes is presented in the patent document US 5,035,525 (Mitsubishi Pencil Co. Ltd.). It consists of a reservoir and an application-liquid intake conduit (the application liquid may be an ink, a nail polish, etc.) and looks like a felt-tip pen with a precise application tip. The reservoir itself is replaceable, as well as the tip within the shaft. At first glance, the applicator is not suitable for use with solvents because its liquid intake mechanism is designed for the liquids of a higher density, such as ink or polish.

The application pen for liquids described in the patent document US 5,131,774 (Georg Karl Geka-Brush GmbH) has a very complicated mechanism that, among others, provides an additional possibility of metering the liquid quantity to be applied. It has no particular use for cosmetic purposes since liquid quantities to be applied are usually defined empirically.

With regard to the specific features in application of solvents or the like, attention should be paid to the structure connecting the reservoir itself with the brush, i.e. the method of dosing. Interesting solutions are presented in the patent documents US 4,764,044 and US 5,035,524 (both by Mitsubishi Pencil Co. Ltd.). The first solution is relatively complicated, though reliable, while the second, although simple but not applicable with solvents because of its sealing mechanism, provides an additional possibility of applying a precisely defined maximum quantity of liquid from a specially designed chamber.

There is a whole range of technical solutions for liquid applicators that cannot be discussed here for a number of reasons. They either have a very specific field of application, such as the liquid applicator having a lockout valving position (see US 5,137,388), or the principal focus is another purpose, that is they are exclusively used as writing utensils. The basic difference between such device and the above mentioned invention is the viscosity of the applied liquid, as well as the fact that in the process of nail polish removing a very invasive, volatile chemical solvent is applied, which requires much carefulness.

Considering the criticism of the available existing technical situation, it can be easily concluded that the primary goal of such inventions was to design and construct a very simple liquid applicator, regardless of the viscosity, invasiveness and volatility of liquids, especially to be used as a nail polish removing device.

Further objective of the invention is to make such device flexible enough for filling/replacing the reservoir containing invasive liquid, as well as to enable a simple, easy and precise application by a special construction, ensuring a very high degree of safety from spilling or similar accidents when the applicator is not used.

Another objective of this invention consists in creating the whole range of products that are compatible with each other and can be supplemented by means of the same components according to the market needs.

Disclosure of the Invention

A solution of the technical problem is presented in form of three different types of construction of the liquid applicator, which is very suitable to be used as a nail polish removing device. Figures 1 - 7 show one of the possible designs and solutions of the above mentioned technical issue. All positions are unambiguously marked in all figures.

As for the construction itself, it should be simple and should comprise the minimum of elements needed for the performance of the above mentioned function. Figure 1 presents the applicator with all the parts needed, which are visible in the imagined longitudinal cross-section. Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5 present the applicator in the way it is seen by the user; Figure 3 shows the applicator main body with the inserted reservoir containing invasive liquid; Figure 4 shows the above mentioned brush, which is replaceable and is inserted in the applicator body; Figure 5 presents the replaceable reservoir - invasive liquid ampoule; Figure 2 presents the locking mechanism of the applicator main body, which protects the environment from possible remains of invasive liquid on the brush itself.

Figures 6 and 7 show the method of forming the applicator from the basic set of minimum parts in order to have the applicator presented in Figures 1 - 5.

Figure 6 presents the procedure of forming the front part of the applicator body (7") with the complete valve system (4'). The valve system consists of a seal (1) made of rubber or plastic materials resistant to the effect of invasive liquid, a piston

(2) preferably made of a plastic material or metal resistant to invasive liquids, a spring

(3) most often made of adequate resistant metals, a bearing (4) and, if necessary, an adapter (5), which in some designs can be a part of the bearing as well as of the reservoir.

The seal (1) has a hole (1.2) - most often circular but not necessarily - with whom, on its wider side (1.3), it fits into the front part of the piston (2.1) up to the stop (2.2). To the back part of the piston, i.e. the part marked as (2.4), which is narrower than the part marked as (2.3) at least for the spring spiral width (3) "comes" the spring. Such a set is inserted into the bearing (4), in the place marked as (4.2). In that way the valve part (4') is formed, with or without an adapter (5).

At the same time, the part that has the purpose of a head (6), and is used to lock the brush in the applicator body, is placed on the bearing body (7) to which other above mentioned parts are placed. The head (6) with its extension (6.1) is pressed over the stop (7.2) and it comes onto the part (7.4). By a twist of the head (6), holding the wings (6.2) with the fingers, the conical part (7.3) enables tightening and widening of the space (7.1) in which the thin tube of the brush, shown in Figure 4, will be placed. After positioning of the head (6) onto the bearing body (7) one receives the set (7') in which the back valve part (4') is inserted, either alone or with the integrated adapter (5), in order to form the front part of the applicator body (7").

According to its dimensions, the bearing (4) has a cylindrical form, narrower on one side as well as the clearly defined edge - stop (4.3). With its form, i.e. the longitudinal section it corresponds with the part (7.7). Thus the part (4") comes completely onto the inner area (7.7.) in the way that the stop (4.3) stops in the part (7.8). The formation of the valve part is thus completed because the seal (1) and the piston (2) can move along the piston axis in the area (7.6), while the seal itself seals over the area (1.1) at the point marked as (7.5). Pressure on the seal is exerted by the spring (3) over the piston (2). The part (4.1) fits onto the beginning of the part (7.6) close to the top because (7.6) is in its cross-section slightly narrower than the part (7.7), which accepts and fixes (4') onto itself by friction.

The handle (9) design with the replaceable reservoir (10) is presented in Figure 7. The activation button (8) is inserted into the handle space (9.3), where it can freely move up to the stop (8.2). The space (9.1) is ready to accept the replaceable reservoir (10) in the formed handle (9').

In its construction, the replaceable reservoir (10) itself has to be made so as to be cheap and reliable, as well as capable of producing the pressure needed for the undisturbed functioning of the cosmetic liquid applicator. On one side there is the thin wall (10.1) which (according to one design) is penetrated by the adapter (5) with its part (5.3) up to the edge (5.2), onto which the equivalent part (10.2) jumps and is fixed in the same with the edge (5.4). The reservoir content, situated in the space (10.3), communicates with the valve part situated in (7") through the channel (4.4). The pressure in the replaceable reservoir is generated by pressing the part (10.5), which during the use pushes the activation button (8) with its part (8.1) and compresses the accordion-like part (10.4) so as to reduce the volume (10.3), which results in the generation of the pressure needed for proper functioning of the applicator. The replaceable reservoir (10) must be made of the materials that are resistant to invasive liquid in the space (10.3), and (10.4) is made either from another kind of material or by reducing the wall thickness. The reservoir (10), placed in (9'), thus forms (9").

By screwing (9") into the front part of the applicator body (7"), i.e. by screwing in the thread (9.2) into the compatible thread (7.9), the applicator body is being formed and is ready to perform its function. The replaceable brush (11) with its tube part (11.1) is inserted into the space (7.1) and the head (6) is turned relatively around the symmetrical axis of rotation (7") for an angle smaller than the full turn, which is enough to lock (11.1) firmly in (7.1). At the end of the tube part (11.1) the brush itself can have cotton pad (11.2) or a similar material for the liquid application. Such an applicator is ready to be used.

The functioning of the valve part is very simple. When the brush (11) is placed into the bearing (7.1), with its small tube (11.1) it pushes the piston (2) in the space (7.6) toward the area (7.7) and overcomes the resistance of the spring (3). With its part (1.1) the seal moves away from the sealing point (7.5) and the liquid flows through the small tube (11.1) to the application point. According to one design, the valve system remains open until the small tube (11.1) is locked in its position. However, it is possible to design a system that would enable more precise dosing. That could be done in the way that the pushed piston (2) seals below the area (4.3), which is in contact with the reservoir if there is a conical end for the sealing on the part (2.4). In such a case it would be possible to apply only that quantity of liquid which is situated in the chamber (7.6). In any of the described cases it is very important that the liquid emptying also lets the air back into the reservoir, so that the entire device can function normally and reliably, without any vacuum in the reservoir. The activation button ensures an undisturbed supply of the new liquid through the small tube (11.1) onto the application point after the evaporation or application of a part of the applied liquid.

If the applicator is applied for some other purposes, especially some other cosmetic purpose, it is possible to replace the reservoir and the brush tip as well as to wash the valve system with water. This provides a very efficient cosmetic device for the in situ cosmetic applications. Naturally, one should take care about the cleanness of the valve system. One could easily imagine a set consisting of one applicator and several reservoirs, as well as of several brushes and other means (11) for the same or different purposes.

In construction of any of the variants of the presented applicator it is clear that the selection of materials for the applicator components must be very carefully made. Such materials must not cause chemical reactions when in touch with the reservoir - ampoule content. Otherwise the applicators would not function in the proper way and could be possibly dangerous. For instance, if such an applicator is used as a reservoir for benzine (for cleaning, dyeing, etc.), a wrong selection of materials may cause emptying of the ampoule content, which is dangerous not only to health but also to personal safety of the operator. Due to the above mentioned, the protective cap shown in Figures 1 and 2 prevents the leakage and makes the applicator airtight.

Figures 1 - 7 do not limit the scope of safety of the cosmetic applicator but represent one of the possible designs within the scope and contents of the safety given in the patent claims.

Claims

1. The cosmetic liquid applicator, consisting of the two-part basic applicator body, whereas one part contains the valve system (7") and the other the handle with the activation button (9') and the reservoir (10), and the two parts are connected by screwing in or by friction, characterised by, that it contains the replaceable brush (11) locked by means of turning the head (6) on the part (7"), that the valve part is made of the spring (3), the piston (2) and the seal (1) placed in the bearing (4) inserted and fixed by friction on the opposite side of the one where the replaceable brush (11) enters the body (7), that the replaceable reservoir is partly situated in the handle (9) and partly connected with the adapter (5) or directly with (4) if it by its form and function (5) integrates the cap that closes the operational part of the applicator, makes it airtight and comes onto the body (7).

2. The replaceable reservoir of the cosmetic liquid applicator defined by Claim 1, characterised by, that it consists of the part with the solid wall and the part which is able to generate in situ the inner pressure in the reservoir itself, needed for proper functioning of the applicator, and the part with the thin wall which is penetrated by the adapter (5) or directly by the bearing (4) performing the same function.

3. The cosmetic liquid applicator defined by Claim 1 with the reservoir defined by the Claim 2, characterised by, that the pressure in the reservoir is generated by pressing the activation button (8) situated in any part of the handle body (9) or by deformation of the body (9) itself, if the reservoir is the body at the same time.

4. The cosmetic liquid applicator in accordance with Claim 1 or 3, with the valve system consisting of the spring (3), the piston (2) and the seal (1) situated in the bearing (4), characterised by, that the inserting and locking of the replaceable brush (11) in the part (7"), the piston with the seal (3) is pushed toward the reservoir in order to make contact (11) with the liquid, while the reservoir (10) is emptied in the way that air comes back through (11) into the same reservoir. εr

5. The replaceable brush (11), characterised by, that on one side it has the small tube to supply the liquid from the reservoir (10) which is locked in (7") by turning (6), while on the other side it has the corresponding area and material for the application of the reservoir content, preferably with fibrous structure in order to keep the liquid and/or with a precise tip in order to apply the liquid on a specific point.

6. The use of the cosmetic liquid applicator defined by Claims 1, 3 or 4, with the brush (11) according to Claim 5 and the reservoir defined by Claim 2, characterised by, that it is used as a nail polish remover or/and a device for the application of any liquid cosmetic substance, along with the use of various means (11) and contents of the replaceable reservoir (10).

7. The use of the cosmetic liquid applicator defined by Claims 1, 3 or 4, with the brush (11) according to Claim 5 and the reservoir defined by Claim 2, characterised by, that it is used in the procedures requiring precise dosing or application of a certain liquid on inaccessible points, in the way that the cartridge looks like a very long thin tube or a hollow needle that can be bent in order to facilitate the access.

8. The kit, characterised by, that it consists of the cosmetic liquid applicator defined by Claims 1, 3 or 4, with one or more brushes (11) according to Claim 5 for the same or different purposes and with one or more reservoirs defined by Claim 2 for the purposes compatible with the purposes of the brushes (11) of the same set, whereas the number of reservoirs should not necessarily be the same as the number of brushes (11), and that some or all of the parts are made of the materials resistant to the effects of invasive liquid contained in the reservoir.