Toilet – Hat fastening device – Includes holding or protecting means for tip of hair...
Reexamination Certificate
2001-06-22
2002-06-18
Manahan, Todd E. (Department: 3732)
Toilet
Hat fastening device
Includes holding or protecting means for tip of hair...
C206S363000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06405735
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to methods and systems for removing cosmetic nail polish from fingernails and toenails. More particularly, the invention relates to a nail polish removal system and method including a conveniently packaged disposable single-use nail polish removal tool comprising an applicator handle and an absorbent material pre-saturated or saturateable with a nail polish removal solution, wherein a plurality of the disposable single-use nail polish removal tools may be provided in a resealable package.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is often desirable to quickly remove cosmetic nail polish from fingernails and toenails, such as, for example, prior to applying a new cosmetic finish. Currently there exist two general categories of removal means, bottle-based systems and dipping jar-based systems. Bottle-based nail polish removal systems typically include a multiple-use bottle containing a relatively large quantity of a nail polish removal solution sufficient for numerous applications. The bottle opens at one end and must be properly secured with a cap to prevent the solution from spilling. In use, the solution must be controllably poured from the bottle onto a suitable material, such as a cotton ball or a cloth rag. Once the material is saturated with the nail polish removal solution, the user uses his or her fingers to apply the material to a polished nail in order to remove the nail polish therefrom, thereby undesirably simultaneously exposing other nails to the solution. Bottle-based systems are relatively cumbersome and inconvenient to carry in a pocket or purse; are prone to potential leakage which may damage property or expose users to hazardous or flammable fumes or solutions; and are messy to apply.
The problems identified above are greatly compounded for a nail are professional who performs the process of removing nail polish many times each day and is therefore exposed to the hazardous nail polish removal solution on a substantially continuous basis. Although wearing gloves may reduce such exposure, manual dexterity is undesirably inhibited.
An improvement on the bottle-based method involves dipping a conventional swab into the bottle, thereby saturating an absorbent end portion of the swab with the nail polish removal solution. Unfortunately, commonly available swabs are typically not as long as commonly available bottles are deep. Where the swab is unable to reach the bottom of the bottle, the bottle must either be discarded, thereby wasting a portion of the solution, or the solution must be controllably poured from the bottle onto the swab, thereby risking spillage which may damage property or expose users to hazardous or flammable fumes or solutions.
Dipping jar-based systems typically include a multiple-use dipping jar containing a sponge saturated with a relatively large quantity of the nail polish removal solution sufficient for numerous applications. In use, the nail and its associated finger are both inserted into the dipping jar and the polished nail is rubbed against the sponge until all nail polish is removed. Thus, the finger is undesirably soaked in a potentially hazardous and unhealthy combination of the nail polish removal solution and dissolved nail polish.
The dipping jar-based system requires a relatively high level of manual dexterity, which can be a concern for some people, particularly when removing toenail polish. For example, the user is required to either lower the dipping jar to the level of the toe or elevate the toe to the level of the dipping jar. Both methods require that the jar be securely held, in some manner, to prevent spillage, while the toenail is rubbed against the sponge. Lowering the dipping jar to the level of the user's toe necessitates that the user either inconveniently bend over, in order to hold the jar, or place the jar into a holding apparatus. Raising the toe to the dipping jar is equally cumbersome and may not be possible for some users, particularly the elderly or disabled.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved nail polish removal system that overcomes the limitations of the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The nail polish removal system of the present invention overcomes the problems and disadvantages identified above and provides a distinct advance in the art of nail polish removal systems and methods. Specifically, the present invention provides a disposable single-use nail polish removal tool comprising an applicator handle and an absorbent material pre-saturated or saturateable with a nail polish removal solution and packaged in such a manner as to allow use of the tool without spilling or inadvertently contacting the polish removal solution.
In a preferred embodiment, the nail polish removal system comprises a disposable single-use nail polish removal tool and a non-resealable package. The single-use nail polish removal tool includes an applicator handle having an applicator end and an absorbent material attached thereto. The absorbent material is saturated with the nail polish removal solution. At least the absorbent material is sealed in the non-resealable package to contain and retain the polish removal solution. The tool is conveniently stored and transported in quantities of one or more.
In use, a user removes and discards the non-resealable package. The user then rubs the absorbent material, saturated with the nail polish removal solution, against the nail polish to be removed. Once the nail polish has been removed, the user discards the single-use nail polish removal tool. Thus, cumbersome bottles are eliminated; spilled polish removal solution is avoided; and the user avoids undesirable contact with the potentially hazardous polish removal solution.
In another preferred embodiment, the applicator handle is hollow and releasably contains the nail polish removal solution by means of either a breakable capsule or a breakable seal. Thus, the packaging, in this embodiment, is not relied upon to contain or retain the polish removal solution. The hollow applicator handle also includes a substantially nonbreakable seal opposite the applicator end.
In use, a user breaks the breakable capsule or the breakable seal to release the nail polish removal solution from the handle's applicator end. Pieces of the broken capsule or broken seal are prevented from escaping the handle by the absorbent material. Once released, the polish removal solution saturates the absorbent material. The user then removes the nail polish as described above and thereafter discards the nail polish removal system.
These and other important features of the present invention are more fully described in the section titled DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT, below.
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Hovey & Williams, LLP
Manahan Todd #E.
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