GB2534275A

GB2534275A - A device for fluid application

Info

Publication number: GB2534275A
Application number: GB1520109.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Moore Amy
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-11-15
Filing date: 2015-11-16
Publication date: 2016-07-20
Also published as: GB201420368D0; GB201520109D0

Abstract

A device for dispensing fluid (such as varnish) on a nail comprising a body 10 housing a reservoir 11, a nib 2 at one end in fluid connection with the reservoir, and an actuator 5 to permit a user to selectively force fluid to the nib; wherein the nib includes a dispensing surface 4 from which fluid is dispensed and a closed surface 3 from which fluid is prevented from soiling the users skin. Preferably the dispensing surface includes any of: resiliently deformable, fibrous, cellular and/or absorbent materials. Preferably the reservoir comprises a flexible sack and is a replaceable cartridge. Preferably the actuator activates a plunger 12 which engages with a ratchet 14 to dispense a fixed amount of fluid. The device is suitable for painting the underside of a nail to paint the nails in a French manicure style. The dispensing surface might comprise a brush or sponge applicator.

Description

A DEVICE FOR FLUID APPLICATION

Field of Invention

The present invention provides a device for application of fluids such as nail paint or varnish, more particularly but not exclusively a device for easily providing French manicures.

Background

A French manicure typically involves white tips being painted on a wearer's nail followed by coats of polish. Existing methods of achieving a French tip manicure are difficult and time consuming as the top of their nail must be painted with the white tip first followed by one or more layers of polish to protect them and add colour.

A user requires a steady hand and/or use of guides to provide a neat white tip. The paint must then be allowed to dry before applying a further layer on top.

Summary of Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a nail device for dispensing fluid on a nail comprising: an elongate body that houses a fluid reservoir; a nib arranged at one end of the body that is in fluid connection with the reservoir; and an actuator arranged to permit a user to selectively force fluid from the reservoir to the nib; wherein the nib includes a dispenser provided on an upper open surface from which fluid is dispensed and a closed lower surface from which fluid is prevented from soiling a user's skin.

The fluid is a nail paint or varnish. For example the fluid is preferably a white paint for creating a white tip on a nail.

Advantageously the device enables a user to easily paint the underside of a nail in order to provide a coloured tip to a nail without soiling the wearer's skin such as the fingertip or toe tip.

By painting the underside of the wearer's nail there is not requirement to wait for the paint to dry before applying nail varnish to upper side of nail. Therefore a French manicure for example can be carried out more quickly. Furthermore the device allows any user to easily apply paint to the underside of their nail without the requirement for a steady hand and/or templates and guides that are required when painting a tip on the upper side of a nail in order to ensure a neat finish.

Preferably the nib is shaped to taper to a point so as to aid application of the fluid to a user's nail. In this way the nib can easily be moved about the user's nail so as to fully paint the underside of each nail.

For example the upper surface of the nib may be substantially triangular.

In other embodiments the upper surface of the nib may square, rectangular or trapezoid.

Typically the nib has a substantially flat upper surface that engages with the wearer's nail during user.

In some embodiments the upper surface may be arcuate so as to correspond to the curvature of the underside of a nail.

Preferably the upper surface includes or comprises a resiliently deformable material so as to be capable of deforming about the nail so as to ensure even coverage of the underside of the nail even if it is uneven.

In some embodiments the upper surface may includes fibres or bristles so as to provide a brush or textured surface for painting the fluid onto the nail.

In some preferred embodiments the upper surface includes or comprises a cellular material such as foam. Advantageously the foam may be able to absorb and aid with holding and dispensing the fluid onto the nail.

There are a number of different materials the nib dispenser could be made from such as having fibrous, bristled or sponge nib or any combination of the before mentioned materials.

Typically the upper surface includes or comprises an absorbent material so as to enable fluid passed from the fluid reservoir, or reservoir to the nib to be stored and readily dispensed.

In some embodiments the upper surface may be in the form an absorbent cushion.

In some embodiments the upper surface of the nib may be formed from two or more layers, for example resiliently deformable sponge later, an absorbent layer and a fibre, such as fabric, application layer.

The reservoir may be flexible or rigid.

For example the reservoir may comprise a flexible sac arranged within the body that is squeezed so as to dispense fluid to the nib.

In another embodiment the reservoir may be a cartridge.

Typically the reservoir can be inserted to and removed from the body so as to enable it to be replaced when the fluid runs out or so as to permit fluid of a different type or colour to be added.

In some embodiments the reservoir may be fixed within the body so that it cannot be removed. For example the reservoir may be integrated with the body. In such embodiments the reservoir may be re-filled in situ without requirement for removal or the device may be disposed of when the reservoir is empty.

In some embodiments the reservoir is connected to the nib by means of a channel through which fluid can pass.

In other embodiments the reservoir may connect directly to the nib.

Typically the actuator is a button or lever that can be pressed so as to force fluid from the reservoir to the nib.

In some preferred embodiments the actuator engages with a plunger arranged within the body so that activation of the actuator causes movement of the plunger so as move fluid in the reservoir to the nib. For example the plunger may extend into the reservoir so as to compress the fluid towards an opening that connects to the nib.

Preferably the plunger engages with a ratchet mechanism in use so as to dispense a selected amount of the fluid from the reservoir. For example the plunger may include ratchet teeth arranged along its length, each tooth corresponding to an amount of fluid that is dispensed. In this way the fluid can be dispensed incrementally. Typically the ratchet teeth engage with a sliding mechanism with corresponding teeth.

Typically the elongate body is substantially cylindrical so as to have no sharp edges. The body is hollow, having an internal cavity in which the reservoir and dispensing mechanism is located (for example a sliding mechanism with a plunger).

In some other embodiments the body may have a square or triangular cross section. Typically any corners are rounded so as to have no sharp edges exposed to a user.

In some embodiments the body has a waist region wherein the body narrows to a lesser cross section so as to aid with gripping the device. In this way the device can be held securely during application of the paint to a nail.

In some embodiments the body may be shaped to include recesses for positioning a user's fingers so that the device is easily held in such a way that the upper surface of the nib is presented to the underside of the nail.

In some embodiments the device is adapted to receive a lid so as to protect the nib when not in use and so to prevent the fluid drying out when the device is not in use. Typically the lid is dimensioned to cup and seal the nib. The lid may be fitted to the nib by a click, detent, screw or resistance fitting.

In some embodiments the body may be flexible so as to squeeze the body in order to compress the reservoir so as to urge fluid to the dispenser. In this way it may not be necessary to have a button and plunger arrangement.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the device; Figure 2 shows a reversed isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 shows side and end views of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 shows a sectional sketch view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; and Figures 6 show sketch views of variant embodiments of nibs for use with the device.

Detailed Description of the Embodiment

With reference to the figures 1 to 5 the device comprises an elongate body 10 with a nib 2 arranged at a first end 10A.

The body 10 is hollow so as to house an internal reservoir 11 (see Figure 5) for holding a liquid, typically a finger or toe nail paint, that is applied to the underside of the wearer's nails.

The present invention therefore provides a manicure tool in the from of a French tip manicure pen arranged and designed to allow a user to paint undersides of their finger or toe nails.

The nib 2 is tapered to a point providing a triangular upper surface 4 that engages with the wearer's nail when the paint is applied.

The nib 2 has a lower surface 3 that prevents fluid from being applied to a user's fingertip or toe tip. The lower surface 3 is smooth and rounded so as to rest comfortably against a wearer's skin during application.

The user is able to paint their nails, or a third parties nails, quickly with minimal fuss. As the underside of the nail is painted using the device the paint will last for longer and can be easily to touched up or reapplied.

The device is quick and easy to use for everyone, where the user simply sweeps the device under their nail; and the upper side of the nib 4 coats the underside of the nail in white paint and the other side 3 protects the user's fingertip or toe tip from being painted, resulting in a natural white nail tip.

The device includes an actuator 5 in the form of a displaceable button. The actuator 5 serves to compress the fluid (not shown) within internal reservoir 11 so as to force it to the nib 2. In use the button 5 is depressed to within the body 10 so as to engage with a sliding mechanism 13 that causes movement of fluid from the reservoir to the nib.

Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the device. The device includes a mechanism 13 that enables movement of the plunger 12 so as to urge fluid from the reservoir 11 to the nib 2. The reservoir 11 is fluidly connected to the nib 2 so as to permit flow of fluid when the mechanism 13 is engaged by pressing the button 5.

As shown it Figure 5 the button 5 cooperates with a plunger 12 arranged on a sliding mechanism 13 within the body 10. Said plunger 12 displaces the fluid in the reservoir 11 when a user exerts pressure on the button 5. Fluid (not shown) in the reservoir is therefore urged to the nib so as to be dispensed from the dispenser 4 located on the upper surface of the nib 2.

The button 5 has a return mechanism (not shown) to as to return to a first position after being displaced to a second position. Typically the return mechanism (not shown) is provided by one or more springs.

In some other embodiments a resiliently deformable reservoir or fluid sac may be utilised and subjected to deformation by means of the button 5.

The mechanism 13 for movement of the plunger 12 shown in Figure 5 includes ratchet teeth 14 which act to dispense a fixed amount of fluid from the reservoir 11 towards and onto the nib 2.

The nib 2 allows the fluid to be dispensed in a controlled manner.

The nib dispenser 4 is ideally formed from open cell structure foam so that it is absorbent, resiliently deformable and has fluid retaining properties so as to allow egress from the nib 2 under pressure. Advantageously this prevents fluid dripping from the nib.

The nib dispenser 4 is arranged on an opposed surface to the lower surface 3 of the nib 2. The lower surface 3 acts to surround and cup the nib dispenser 4, so as to limit unauthorised egress of fluid on the wearer. In this way the egress of fluid is only prompted when the upper surface 4 of the nib is engaged with the nails.

The lower surface of the nib 3 is rigid so that when this face is pressed against the fingertip or toe tip excess fluid is not expelled from the upper surface 4 that is resiliently deformable, at least in part.

The lower surface 3 of the nib 2 is made of plastic with a curved cover to protect the tip of fingers or toes while applying the varnish/paint and enabling the device to easily glide across a wearer's skin.

The body 10 is ergonomically designed being substantially barrel shaped so as to fit comfortably into the user's hand whilst applying.

The body 10 is shaped to aid with direction and control of the nib 2, comprising a tapered or pinched elongate section 9 that defines a waist, wherein the user can manipulate the nib 2 more effectively and comfortably.

The upper surface of the nib 4 is substantially triangular having two curved sides 7 and a tip 6 for focused application of paint to the nails.

In Figure 5 the device is shown having an internal reservoir 11 which comprises a replaceable cartridge that contains nail varnish with the sliding mechanism 13 arranged above the cartridge and the plunger 12 providing a seal to contain the fluid within the cartridge 11 and to prevent escape of fluid within the body.

The user presses the click button 5, activating the ratchet mechanism and forcing varnish into the nib ready for use.

In use the lid 15 is removed to expose the nib ready for application of the paint to the nail. The button 5 is clicked downwards to within the body which forces the ratchet mechanism down so as to release a selected amount of nail varnish to the upper surface 4 of the nib 2. The nib 2 is then swept under the finger or toe nail dispensing nail varnish onto the nail.

The body is formed from a single-shot injection moulded plastics such as Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) or Polyethylene. The button is inserted into the body 10 at the distal and has a collar too large to pass through the body end.

Figure 6 shows three different embodiments of the nib 2 wherein A shows a nib 2 with a fibrous tip; B shows a nib with a bristled nib 2; and C shows a nib 2 with a sponge portion. The lower surface 3 provides a cup around the upper surface 4 so that the upper surface 4 can be presented to the nail and the lower surface 3 prevents paint being dispensed on the skin. Therefore the upper surfaces 4 shown in Figure 6 are arranged within the lower surface 3. The nib is substantially cuboid having a rectangular upper surface 4.

The nib 2 is connected to the body 10 so as to permit the flow of fluid from the reservoir to the nib.

The pictured embodiment is therefore an easy to use manicure tool which gives a natural white tip to a wearer's nails.

Existing methods of achieving a French tip manicure are difficult and time consuming as the user has to paint the top of their nail followed by a layer of transparent polish to protect them. Using the device the user may paint nails in a matter of seconds with no need for guides or a steady hand and no need to wait for it to dry before application of a first coat of polish. The manicure lasts for days and is easy to "touch up" or re-apply.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

Claims 1. A nail device for dispensing fluid on a nail comprising: an elongate body that houses a fluid reservoir; a nib arranged at one end of the body that is in fluid connection with the reservoir; and an actuator arranged to permit a user to selectively force fluid from the reservoir to the nib; wherein the nib includes a dispenser provided on an upper open surface from which fluid is dispensed and a closed lower surface from which fluid is prevented from soiling a user's skin.
2. A nail device according to claim 1 wherein the tip is shaped to taper to a point so as to aid application of the fluid to a user's nail.
3. A nail device according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the upper surface includes a resiliently deformable material.
4. A nail device according to any preceding claim wherein the upper surface includes fibres.
5. A nail device according to any preceding claim wherein the upper surface includes a cellular material.
6. A nail device according to any preceding claim wherein the upper surface includes an absorbent material.
7. A nail device according to any preceding claim wherein the reservoir comprises a flexible sack.
8. A nail device according to any preceding claim wherein the reservoir is a replaceable cartridge that is adapted to be inserted to and removed from the body.
9. A nail according to any preceding claim wherein the reservoir is connected to the nib by means of a channel through which fluid can pass.
10.A nail device according to any preceding claim wherein the actuator activates a plunger that causes fluid in the reservoir be urged to the nib.
11.A nail device according to claim 10 wherein the plunger engages with a ratchet mechanism in use so as to dispense a selected amount of the fluid from the reservoir.
12.A nail device according to any preceding claim wherein the body has a waist region so as to aid with gripping the device.
13.A nail device according to any preceding claim including a lid for protecting the nib.
14.A nail device as substantially herein described with reference to the Figures.