Toilet – Nail device – Combined
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-08
2001-04-03
Philogene, Pedro (Department: 3732)
Toilet
Nail device
Combined
C132S200000, C132S073000, C401S206000, C401S004000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06209548
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates in general to nail paint, applicators for applying nail paint, and methods for applying nail paint. This invention relates in specific to an aqueous-based nail paint having a viscosity sufficiently low to effectively flow through a pen-like applicator, a pen-like applicator having a nib configured for precisely applying nail paint to a nail, and a method for applying a nail treatment yielding the desired durability, appearance and health characteristics wherein an aqueous-based nail paint is first applied and then a solvent-based finish is applied.
BACKGROUND
In the prior art, nail polish is typically applied to finger and toe nails using a brush. Traditionally, nail polish is provided in jar containers, and a fiber brush that is attached to a plastic stick is used to apply the nail polish to nails. Such nail polish is typically a very thick, viscous, solvent-based solution. The process of applying nail polish in this traditional manner is very time consuming. The viscosity of such nail polish typically causes a large amount of nail polish to attach to the brush. Thus, when the brush is dipped into a jar of nail polish, the brush typically receives more nail polish than is required. Being unable to effectively control such a large amount of polish in applying it to a nail, the user typically tries to reduce the amount of excess nail polish on the brush by scraping the brush against the opening edge of the jar. However, if the user scrapes off too much nail polish, the polish will streak when applied to the user's nail or will provide insufficient covering. Thus, care must be taken in obtaining just the right amount of nail polish on the brush.
Brush thickness also contributes to the inconvenience of applying traditional nail polish. Because of the thickness of brushes typically used for applying nail polish, such brushes cannot be applied against the user's cuticle without getting unwanted polish on the cuticle. Instead, care and skill must be utilized to apply pressure on the bristles of a brush against the user's nail to force polish up to the edge of the cuticle. Thus, by pressing the brush against the user's nail, a “wave” or “ridge” of polish can be pushed up to the edge of the user's cuticle. This is the accepted, traditional technique for applying nail polish to a nail using the traditional brush applicator. This technique requires that a certain care and skill be utilized by the user to obtain the desired result. Using the prior art brush to apply nail polish up to the edge of the cuticle without actually getting nail polish on the cuticle is a very delicate process. If the user makes a mistake and places nail polish on the cuticle, nail polish remover must be applied to remove the unwanted polish. Removing such unwanted polish from the cuticle without placing any nail polish remover on the surface of the user's nail is also a very tedious process. In attempting to remove the polish from the cuticle, a user will often inadvertently apply nail polish remover to the surface of the user's nail, and thus ruin the desired finish. Accordingly, a user will often be required to remove the nail polish completely and begin again the process of applying polish to the user's nail.
As described above, because of the nature of the prior art applicator brush and nail polish, a user is required to employ a very methodical, slow, deliberate, delicate, cautious technique in applying nail polish to the user's nails. Such a technique is very time consuming. Furthermore, considering that a user often is required to remove polish and start the process over in order to correct mistakes, the prior art technique for applying nail polish becomes even more time consuming. Additionally, applying a first coat of nail polish utilizing a prior art applicator brush and nail polish often results in an undesirable finish. That is, the nail polish may have ridges, streaking, or thin spots in color on the surface of the user's nails. As a result, a user is often required to apply multiple coats of nail polish to achieve a desired finish. Thus, a user is required to wait for the first coat to dry and then utilize the above-described technique to apply an additional coat. Applying multiple coats of polish increases the amount of time necessary to obtain a desired finish for the nail polish.
Prior art nail polish has traditionally been packaged in vials or jars of various shapes and sizes. Such containers typically provide approximately ½ ounce in volume of nail polish. Because of the various shapes of the prior art nail polish jars, it is typically difficult to extract all of the nail polish from the jars using the traditional applicator brush. Generally, the applicator brush must be inserted vertically into the nail polish jar. Because of the difficulty in getting the brush to reach locations of the jar where nail polish resides, a user typically rotates the container to various positions in order to direct nail polish to the tip of the brush. Thus, the shape of most prior art containers make it very difficult to access all of the nail polish.
Additionally, because of the nature of prior art nail polish, it dries out quickly. That is, prior art nail polish is viscous and generally contains drying agents to decrease the amount of time that it takes for the polish to dry after it is applied to a user's nail, causing it to dry out quickly. Therefore, if the nail polish container is open for an extended period of time, the nail polish tends to harden. Moreover, this hardening process typically occurs even when the container has remained closed because the typical nail polish container is not perfectly air tight. As the nail polish hardens, it becomes gummy, gooey, and unusable. This hardening characteristic of prior art nail polish is particularly problematic given the fact that applying such prior art nail polish is typically a very time consuming process, as discussed above, and the user typically maintains an inventory of different colors which are used relatively infrequently. Accordingly, a prior art container of nail polish typically spoils or hardens to a point that it is unuseable long before a user can deplete the entire container. Therefore, much of the prior art nail polish is typically wasted.
Some types of prior art nail polish, generally referred to as “quick drying nail polish,” contain additional drying agents that decrease the amount of time necessary for the polish to dry after applying it to a nail. However, such quick drying nail polish still does not dry quickly enough to recognize a substantial difference in the amount of time required in the application process. Moreover, quick drying nail polish typically does not bond with the nail particularly well, often resulting in chipping. Typically, within two days of applying such quick drying nail polish a user is required to “touch-up” the user's nail polish because the polish does not bond to the user's nail and chips off. Accordingly, this may actually increase the total amount of time spent on applying and touching-up a user's nail polish over the long run. Furthermore, the additional chemicals utilized in quick drying nail polish may irritate and dry-out the nail and the surrounding skin.
Moreover, it is very difficult to perform touch-ups utilizing prior art applicators and nail polish. Prior art nail polish typically does not blend or bond very well with previously applied polish. As a result, a touch-up typically results in a variance in the coloration and texture of the nail polish. That is, the color applied in a touch-up typically does not blend with the color of the previously applied nail polish. Also, it is very difficult to fill in a chipped nail surface through performing a touch-up and achieve a uniform, smooth surface.
Prior art nail polish is typically available in a variety of finishes, including matte, gloss, pearl, pearlescent, glitter, and protectant finishes. A matte finish is very versatile and may be ma
Harrison Mary Tara
Harrison Richard Earl
Beauty Innovations
Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.
Philogene Pedro
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