Patent Grant
11497292
The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to a storage and dispensing capsule for nail polish fluid and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to a disposable storage and dispensing capsule for nail polish fluid with an integrated brush.
Applying nail polish to fingernails and/or toenails has been practiced since ancient times. Decorating the finger and/or toe nails is still fashionable in modern times as many people, in particular woman apply nail polish to decorate their fingernails and/or toenails.
The nail polish is a lacquer fluid that once applied to the nail surface dries to form a solid layer over the nail surface.
Presently, manual nail polish application is the most common method. The manual nail polish application may require some expertise, skills and/or experience and may be time consuming. In addition manual application of the nail polish to one self's nails may be physically challenging due to the need to master the art in both hands and in case of the foot toenails reaching conveniently and efficiently the toes may also present difficulties. While many individuals have mastered the art of applying the nail polish manually for themselves, nail polish application may typically be practiced by professional manicurists and/or pedicurists.
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a capsule integrated with a nail polish applying element for usage by a nail polish application apparatus comprising a capsule compartment and a pressure applying element, the capsule comprising:
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a capsule integrated with a nail polish applying element for usage by a nail polish application apparatus comprising a capsule compartment and a pressure applying element, the capsule comprising:
According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a capsule integrated with a nail polish applying element for usage by a nail polish application apparatus comprising a capsule compartment and a pressure applying element, the capsule comprising:
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a capsule integrated with a nail polish applying element for usage by a nail polish application apparatus comprising a capsule compartment and a pressure applying element, the capsule comprising:
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a capsule integrated with a nail polish applying element for usage by a nail polish application apparatus comprising a capsule compartment and a pressure applying element, the capsule comprising:
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided a capsule integrated with a nail polish applying element for usage by a nail polish application apparatus comprising a capsule compartment and a pressure applying element, the capsule comprising:
Wherein a compression fluid injected at high pressure into the body portion through one or more openings punctured in the body portion builds an internal pressure in the reservoir.
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for manufacturing a capsule integrated with a nail polish applying element, comprising:
With reference to the first and/or the seventh aspects of the invention, according to a first implementation, the capsule is provided as a kit in which the container is provided separately from the container housing.
With reference to the first, the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth and/or the seventh aspects of the invention and/or the first implementation, according to a second implementation, the nail polish fluid is a member selected from a group consisting of: a nail polish fluid, a base coating fluid, a top coating fluid, a drying fluid, a nail art polish fluid and a medical nail treatment fluid.
With reference to the first, the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth and/or the seventh aspects of the invention and/or any of the previous implementations, according to a third implementation, the nail surface is a member of a group consisting of: a nail surface of a human hand finger and a nail surface of a human foot toe.
With reference to the first and/or the seventh aspects of the invention and/or any of the previous implementations, according to a fourth implementation, the container is air sealed.
With reference to the first, the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth and/or the seventh aspects of the invention and/or any of the previous implementations, according to a fifth implementation, the body portion is constructed as an inverted cup-shaped body.
With reference to the first, the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth and/or the seventh aspects of the invention and/or any of the previous implementations, according to a sixth implementation, the body portion is constructed with a flange-like rim around a top end of the body portion.
With reference to the first and/or the seventh aspects of the invention and/or any of the previous implementations, according to a seventh implementation, the nail polish fluid is released from the container into the body portion when the internal pressure resulting from the pressure application fractures the bottom face.
With reference to the first and/or the seventh aspects of the invention and/or the seventh implementation, according to an eighth implementation, the nail polish fluid is released from the container into the body portion when the internal pressure resulting from the pressure application fractures the bottom face.
With reference to the first and/or the seventh aspects of the invention and/or the seventh and/or eighth implementations, according to a ninth implementation, the nail polish fluid is released from the bottom face is fractured at a weakened surface of the bottom face. The weakened surface is automatically breached by the internal pressure.
With reference to the first and/or the seventh aspects of the invention and/or the seventh, eighth and/or ninth implementations, according to a tenth implementation, the bottom face is fractured by opening a valve located in the bottom face, the valve having a first state in which the valve is closed and state and a second state in which the valve is open. The valve automatically transitions from the first state to the second state under the internal pressure.
With reference to the first and/or the seventh aspects of the invention and/or the seventh, eighth and/or ninth implementations, according to a tenth implementation, the bottom face is fractured by opening a valve located in the bottom face, the valve having a first state in which the valve is closed and state and a second state in which the valve is open. The valve automatically transitions from the first state to the second state under the internal pressure.
With reference to the first and/or the seventh aspects of the invention and/or the seventh, eighth, ninth and/or tenth implementations, according to an eleventh implementation, the bottom face is fractured by one or more internal puncturing elements located inside the body portion. The internal puncturing element punctures the container when the pressure application forces the container to slide down in the body portion towards a bottom side of the body portion.
With reference to the first and/or the seventh aspects of the invention and/or the seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth and/or eleventh implementations, according to a twelfth implementation, the bottom face is fractured by one or more external puncturing elements separated from the capsule.
Optionally, with reference to the first, the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth and/or the seventh aspects of the invention and/or any of the previous implementations, according to a thirteenth implementation, a top seal seals a top side of the body portion. The top seal is broken by the pressure application and/or by a user of the nail polish application apparatus.
Optionally, with reference to the first and/or the seventh aspects of the invention and/or any of the previous implementations, according to a fourteenth implementation, one or more circumferential sealing elements are disposed between a circumferential lateral wall of the body portion and a circumferential lateral wall of the container.
Optionally, with reference to the first and/or the seventh aspects of the invention and/or any of the previous implementations, according to a fifteenth implementation, one or more stoppage elements included in the capsule are adapted to lock the container in a static position when the pressure is applied.
Optionally, with reference to the first, the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth and/or the seventh aspects of the invention and/or any of the previous implementations, according to a sixteenth implementation, a dynamically adjustable shutter is included in the capsule to control a flow rate of the nail polish fluid through the one or more conveying tunnels.
With reference to the first, the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth and/or the seventh aspects of the invention and/or any of the previous implementations, according to a seventeenth implementation, the nail polish applying element comprises one or more members of a group consisting of: a plurality of hair strands, an elastic tube, a solid pipe (e.g. a syringe needle, etc.), a sponge, a wiper and a combination of at least two thereof.
With reference to the first, the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth and/or the seventh aspects of the invention and/or any of the previous implementations, according to an eighteenth implementation, one or more of the conveying tunnels include one or more spraying outlets located at a distal end of the one or more conveying tunnel.
With reference to the first, the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth and/or the seventh aspects of the invention and/or any of the previous implementations, according to a nineteenth implementation, one or more of the conveying tunnels are constructed as an elongated strip.
With reference to the first, the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth and/or the seventh aspects of the invention and/or any of the previous implementations, according to a twentieth implementation, the nail polish applying element is mounted in line with a vertical axis of the one or more conveying tunnels.
With reference to the first, the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth and/or the seventh aspects of the invention and/or any of the previous implementations, according to a twenty first implementation, the nail polish applying element is mounted in a tilted position with respect to a vertical axis of the one or more conveying tunnel.
Optionally, with reference to the first, the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth and/or the seventh aspects of the invention and/or any of the previous implementations, according to a twenty second implementation, the capsule comprises a removable cover placed over at least the nail polish applying element.
Optionally, with reference to the first, the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth and/or the seventh aspects of the invention and/or any of the previous implementations, according to a twenty third implementation, the reservoir is adapted to contain an amount of the nail polish fluid which is sufficient for a single application of the nail polish fluid to a number of nail surfaces, the number is in a range of 1 to 20.
Optionally, with reference to the first, the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth and/or the seventh aspects of the invention and/or any of the previous implementations, according to a twenty fourth implementation, one or more stirring object are disposed inside the reservoir for stirring the nail polish fluid when the container is shaken.
Optionally, with reference to the first, the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth and/or the seventh aspects of the invention and/or any of the previous implementations, according to a twenty fifth implementation, the reservoir contains two or more types of the nail polish fluid contained in separate chambers defined in the reservoir. The two or more types of the nail polish fluid mix together in the body portion after released from the container.
With reference to the first, the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth and/or the seventh aspects of the invention and/or any of the previous implementations, according to a twenty sixth implementation, the reservoir is adapted to contain an amount of the nail polish fluid which is sufficient for a single application of the nail polish fluid to a number of nail surfaces, the number is in a range of 1 to 20.
With reference to the first, the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth and/or the seventh aspects of the invention and/or any of the previous implementations, according to a twenty seventh implementation, the body portion is air sealed.
With reference to the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth and/or the seventh aspects of the invention and/or any of the previous implementations, according to a twenty eighth implementation, the nail polish is released from the reservoir into the one or more conveying tunnel through one or more opening punctured by one or more external puncturing element separated from the capsule, the one or more opening is punctured in one of: the bottom side of the body portion and inside the one or more conveying tunnel.
With reference to the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth and/or the seventh aspects of the invention and/or any of the previous implementations, according to a twenty ninth implementation, the nail polish is released from the reservoir into the one or more conveying tunnel through one or more openings opened by the internal pressure. The one or more openings are located in one or more of: the bottom side of the body portion and inside the one or more conveying tunnels.
With reference to the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth and/or the seventh aspects of the invention and/or the twenty ninth implementation, according to a thirtieth implementation, the one or more openings are utilized as a weakened surface that is automatically breached by the internal pressure.
With reference to the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth and/or the seventh aspects of the invention and/or the twenty ninth implementation, according to a thirty first implementation, the one or more openings are utilized by a valve having a first state in which the valve is closed and a second state in which the valve is open. The valve automatically transitions from the first state to the second state by the internal pressure.
With reference to the first, second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth and/or the seventh aspects of the invention and/or any of the previous implementations, according to a thirty second implementation, the nail polish is released from the reservoir to flow through the one or more conveying tunnels by breaking an internal weakened surface disposed inside the one or more conveying tunnel to contain the nail polish fluid. The internal weakened surface is broken by an external pressure deforming the one or more conveying tunnels.
With reference to the first, second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth and/or the seventh aspects of the invention and/or any of the previous implementations, according to a thirty third implementation, the reservoir occupies a part of the body portion. One or more faces of the reservoir are defined by a membrane surface disposed inside the body portion. The membrane surface is fractured by one or more internal puncturing elements located inside the body portion. The internal puncturing element(s) puncture the membrane surface when the internal pressure forces the membrane to press against the one or more internal puncturing elements.
With reference to the first, second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth and/or the seventh aspects of the invention and/or the any of the previous implementations, according to a thirty fourth implementation, the nail polish fluid is contained in an inner container disposed inside the body portion. The internal pressure fractures the inner container thus releasing the nail polish fluid into the body portion.
With reference to the first, second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth and/or the seventh aspects of the invention and/or the thirty fourth implementation, according to a thirty fifth implementation, the inner container is fractured at a weakened surface of the inner container. The weakened surface is automatically breached by the internal pressure.
With reference to the first, second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth and/or the seventh aspects of the invention and/or the thirty fourth implementation, according to a thirty sixth implementation, the inner container is fractured by one or more puncturing elements. The one or more puncturing elements are members of a group consisting of: an internal puncturing element located inside the body portion and an external puncturing element separated from the capsule.
Optionally, with reference to the first, the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth and/or the seventh aspects of the invention and/or any of the previous implementations, according to a thirty seventh implementation, one or more stirring object are disposed inside the reservoir for stirring the nail polish fluid when the capsule is shaken.
Optionally, with reference to the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth and/or the seventh aspects of the invention and/or any of the previous implementations, according to a thirty eighth implementation, the body portion comprises two or more types of the nail polish fluid contained in separate chambers in the body portion. The two or more types of the nail polish fluid mix together after released from the separate chambers.
Optionally, with reference to the first, the second and/or the seventh aspects of the invention and/or any of the previous implementations, according to a thirty ninth implementation, the sliding gasket includes one or more magnetic elements which react to an induced magnetic field to apply the pressure. The reaction is a member of a group consisting of: attraction and repulsion.
With reference to the fifth and/or the seventh aspects of the invention and/or any of the previous implementations, according to a fortieth implementation, one or more face of the body portion having a high elasticity coefficient are folded as result of the displacement movement thus reducing the volume.
With reference to the fifth and/or the seventh aspects of the invention and/or any of the previous implementations, according to a forty first implementation, one or more openings are punctured in the body portion to allow air to replace nail polish fluid extruded from the body portion by the displacement movement.
With reference to the sixth and/or the seventh aspects of the invention and/or any of the previous implementations, according to a forty second implementation, the compression fluid is a member of a group consisting of: a gas and a liquid.
With reference to the first, the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth and/or the seventh aspects of the invention and/or any of the previous implementations, according to a forty third implementation, the body portion and the discharge nozzle are produced as a single piece.
With reference to the first, the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth and/or the seventh aspects of the invention and/or any of the previous implementations, according to a forty fourth implementation, the body portion, the discharge nozzle and the nail polish applying element are produced as a single piece.
With reference to the first, the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth and/or the seventh aspects of the invention and/or any of the previous implementations, according to a forty fifth implementation, the body portion is produced from one or more materials, the one or more materials are members of a group consisting of: a polymer, a metal, glass and a ceramic fluid.
With reference to the third the fifth and/or the seventh aspects of the invention and/or any of the previous implementations, according to a forty sixth implementation, one or more high elasticity faces of the body portion has an elasticity coefficient higher than the elasticity coefficient of other faces of the body portion. The one or more high elasticity faces are members of a group consisting of: a top face, a bottom face and a circumferential lateral face.
With reference to the third the fifth and/or the seventh aspects of the invention and/or any of the previous implementations, according to a forty sixth implementation, one or more high elasticity faces of the body portion has an elasticity coefficient higher than the elasticity coefficient of other faces of the body portion. The one or more high elasticity faces are members of a group consisting of: a top face, a bottom face and a circumferential lateral face.
With reference to the fourth and/or the seventh aspects of the invention and/or any of the previous implementations, according to a forty seventh implementation, the body portion is constructed as a tubular body portion having a circumferential lateral wall constructed with one or more annular corrugation disposed about a center axis of the body portion.
With reference to the first, the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth and/or the seventh aspects of the invention and/or any of the previous implementations, according to a forty eighth implementation, the body portion is produced from one or more materials, the one or more materials are members of a group consisting of: a polymer, a metal, glass and a ceramic fluid.
Optionally, with reference to the first, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth and/or the seventh aspects of the invention and/or any of the previous implementations, according to a forty ninth implementation, a container adapted for accommodation in the body portion is produced. The container defines the reservoir adapted to contain the nail polish fluid. Wherein the inserting further comprises inserting the nail polish fluid into the container.
With reference to the first, the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth and/or the seventh aspects of the invention and/or the forty ninth implementation, according to a fiftieth implementation, the container is produced from one or more materials. The one or more materials are members of a group consisting of: a polymer, a metal, glass and a ceramic fluid.
Optionally, with reference to the first, the second and/or the seventh aspects of the invention and/or any of the previous implementations, according to a fifty first implementation, an inner container is produced. The inner container defines the reservoir adapted to contain the nail polish fluid. Wherein the inserting further comprises disposing the inner container inside the body portion, inserting the nail polish fluid into the inner container and sealing the inner container and the body portion.
With reference to the first, the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth and/or the seventh aspects of the invention and/or the fifty first implementation, according to a fifty second implementation, the inner container is produced from one or more fluid, the one or more fluid is a member of a group consisting of: a polymer, a metal, glass and a metallic foil.
With reference to the first, the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth and/or the seventh aspects of the invention and/or any of the previous implementations, according to a fifty third implementation, one or more puncturing element are disposed inside the body portion.
With reference to the first, the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth and/or the seventh aspects of the invention and/or any of the previous implementations, according to a fifty fourth implementation, the nail polish applying element comprises one or more member of a group consisting of: a plurality of hair strands, one or more elastic tube, a sponge, a wiper and a combination of at least two thereof.
With reference to the first, the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth and/or the seventh aspects of the invention and/or any of the previous implementations, according to a fifty fifth implementation, the nail polish applying element is produced by stapling a plurality of hair strands into the discharge nozzle.
Optionally, with reference to the first, the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth and/or the seventh aspects of the invention and/or any of the previous implementations, according to a fifty sixth implementation, one or more hollow wedges are inserted through the nail polish applying element and through the discharge nozzle into the body portion. The one or more wedges forms the one or more conveying tunnels.
Optionally, with reference to the first, the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth and/or the seventh aspects of the invention and/or the fifty sixth implementation, according to a fifty seventh implementation, the one or more hollow wedges serves as a puncturing element for puncturing a reservoir defined in the body portion.
Some embodiments of the invention are herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of embodiments of the invention. In this regard, the description taken with the drawings makes apparent to those skilled in the art how embodiments of the invention may be practiced.
In the drawings:
The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to a storage and dispensing capsule for nail polish fluid and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to a disposable storage and dispensing capsule for nail polish fluid with an integrated brush
According to some embodiments of the present invention there are provided storage and dispensing capsule with integrated applying element for nail polish fluid application and production methods for the capsule. The capsule which is a disposable capsule intended for a single application of the nail polish fluid may be used with one or more nail polish application apparatuses (and/or systems) that are not covered in the scope of the present invention. The capsule includes a body portion defining a reservoir containing the nail polish fluid and a discharge nozzle having one or more conveying tunnels and an integrated nail polish applying element adapted to convey the nail polish fluid and dispense the nail polish fluid to a nail surface of a user.
The dispensing capsule may be used for dispensing the nail polish fluid, for example, polish fluid, a base coating fluid, a top coating fluid, a drying material a nail art polish fluid, a medical nail treatment fluid and/or the like over one or more nail surfaces of the user, in particular the nail surface of a human hand finger nail and/or the nail surface of a human toe. The disposable single application capsule may contain an amount of nail polish fluid that is sufficient for a single application. The amount of nail polish contained in the reservoir may be pre-defined to suffice for application over, for example, a single nail surface, the nail surfaces of a single hand, the nail surfaces of two hands, the nail surfaces of two hands and two feet and/or the like. It should be noted that the actual application of the nail polish fluid to the nail surface, for example, positioning, alignment, pressure application and/or the like is done by the nail polish application apparatus(s) and may therefore depend on the nail polish application apparatus purpose, design, capabilities and/or the like.
Extrusion of the nail polish fluid from the capsule is done by the nail polish application apparatus having a pressure applying element which applies pressure to the body portion when the capsule is placed in a capsule compartment of the nail polish application apparatus. The applied pressure may reduce the volume of the reservoir defined by the body portion thus building an internal pressure in the reservoir forcing the nail polish fluid to flow through the conveying tunnel(s) of the discharge nozzle towards the nail polish applying element which applies the nail polish fluid to the nail surface. The pressure application may be utilized through one or more pressure mechanisms as described herein after.
The capsule may employ different constructions, shapes and/or features as presented in some embodiments of the present invention.
In some embodiments of the present invention, the capsule further is constructed of a container containing the nail polish fluid and a container housing comprising the body portion and the discharge nozzle which integrates the nail polish applying element. The container may be inserted into the container housing that may be shaped to receive and accommodate the container. The container defining the reservoir containing the nail polish fluid may include a sliding gasket sealing an opening in the container's top face. When applying pressure to the gasket top while the capsule is located in the capsule compartment, the gasket slides towards the bottom face of the container thus reducing the volume of the reservoir defined by the container. The reduced volume may build an internal pressure in the reservoir forcing the nail polish fluid to flow to the discharge nozzle. The internal pressure may also first cause the container to fracture with one or more openings in the bottom face of the container in order to release the nail polish fluid into the body portion. The opening(s) may be utilized through a weakened surface at the bottom face of the container, a valve, an internal puncturing element(s) located in the body portion and/or the like. Optionally, the opening(s) in the container is punctured by an external puncturing element.
In some embodiments of the present invention, the nail polish fluid is contained in the body portion having a sliding gasket sealing an opening in its top side. When applying pressure to the gasket top while the capsule is located in the capsule compartment, the gasket position is lowered towards the bottom of the body portion thus reducing the volume of the reservoir defined by the body portion. The reduced volume may build the internal pressure in the reservoir forcing the nail polish fluid to flow to the discharge nozzle. The internal pressure may also first cause the body portion to fracture with one or more openings in order to release the nail polish fluid into the body portion. The opening(s) may be utilized through a weakened surface at the bottom face of the container, a valve, an internal puncturing element(s) located in the body portion and/or the like. Optionally, the opening(s) in the body portion is punctured by an external puncturing element. Optionally, the opening(s) are located in the conveying tunnel of the discharge nozzle.
In some embodiments of the present invention, the nail polish fluid is contained in the body portion where the body portion has one or more high elasticity faces elasticity characterized by an elasticity coefficient that is higher than the elasticity coefficient of the other faces of the body portion. When applying pressure to the one or more of the other faces of the body portion while the capsule is located in the capsule compartment, the high elastic face(s) may fold thus deforming the body portion. The deformed body portion may reduce the volume of the reservoir defined by the container thus building an internal pressure in the reservoir forcing the nail polish fluid to flow to the discharge nozzle.
In some embodiments of the present invention, the nail polish fluid is contained in the body portion constructed as a tubular body with its circumferential wall having one or more annular corrugations disposed around a center axis of the body portion. When applying pressure to the top and/or bottom face(s) of the body portion while the capsule is located in the capsule compartment, the corrugation(s) may fold thus reducing the height of the body portion. The reduced height may reduce the volume of the reservoir defined by the container thus building an internal pressure in the reservoir forcing the nail polish fluid to flow to the discharge nozzle. In some embodiments of the present invention, the pressure is applied by a peristaltic pump which is part of the nail polish application apparatus. While the capsule is located in the dispensing compartment, the peristaltic pump is pressed against an elastic longitude face of the discharge nozzle having a high elasticity coefficient. The peristaltic pump may induce a displacement movement of the nail polish fluid in the conveying tunnel(s) forcing the nail polish fluid to flow through the conveying tunnel(s).
In some embodiments of the present invention, the pressure is applied by injecting a gas, for example, air into the body portion. The body portion containing the nail polish fluid has one or more openings (holes) that are punctured when the capsule is located in the dispensing compartment. The gas may be injected at high pressure by a compressor which is part of the nail polish application apparatus. The injected gas may build pressure within the nail polish fluid forcing the nail polish fluid to flow into the discharge nozzle.
Optionally, the nail polish fluid occupies only part of the body portion that is divided with a membrane like surface from the remaining internal space of the body portion. The membrane surface may fracture as result of the internal pressure built in the reservoir defined by the body portion. The membrane surface may fracture by one or more puncturing elements located in the body portion. Optionally, the membrane is fractured by an external puncturing element.
Optionally, the nail polish fluid is contained in a sealed inner container disposed inside the body portion. When the volume of the reservoir defined by the body portion is reduced the pressure conveyed to the inner container may fracture the inner container thus releasing the contained nail polish fluid into the body portion. The applied pressure may further build pressure within the nail polish fluid forcing the nail polish fluid to flow into the discharge nozzle. Optionally, the inner container is fractured by an external puncturing element.
Typically, the body portion may be constructed to funnel the nail polish fluid towards the discharge nozzle, for example, as an inverted cup-shaped body, as a conic like shape and/or the like. In addition, the body portion may be designed to be air-sealed such that while not in use the nail polish fluid is not in contact with the air. Optionally, the body portion is sealed with removable seal that is removed prior to using of the capsule, for example, a removable cover, a tear able foil and/or the like
The body portion, the container and/or the inner container may be produced from one or more materials, for example, a polymer, glass, metal, a ceramic material and/or the like. Optionally, the material(s) used to produce the part containing the nail polish fluid such as, for example, the body portion, the container and/or the inner container are characterized by a low permeability coefficient to prevent one or more components of the nail polish fluid, for example, solvents from diffusing through the container and evaporate over time.
The conveying tunnel(s) may be formed by the inherent structure of the discharge nozzle, for example, a hollow body of the discharge nozzle. Optionally, the conveying tunnel(s) is utilized through one or more hollow wedges (e.g. a hollow shaft, a hollow needle, etc.) inserted through the discharge nozzle reaching into the body portion. The conveying tunnel(s) may be adapted according to a viscosity property of the nail polish fluid to allow for a constant flow of the nail polish fluid through the discharge nozzle.
The nail polish applying element integrated with the discharge nozzle may be mounted on the discharge nozzle such that it is straight or tilted. The nail polish applying element may comprise hair strands such that the nail polish fluid flows over the hair strands dispensing the nail polish fluid over the nail surface. Additionally, and/or alternatively, the dispensing head may include one or more elastic tubes and/or solid pipes (e.g. a syringe needle, etc.) to dispense the nail polish fluid over the nail surface. The nail polish applying element may also include a combination of the hair strands and the elastic tube(s). The nail polish applying element may also include a sponge, a wiper and/or the like to apply the nail polish fluid over the nail surface.
Optionally, the capsule includes a dynamically adjustable shutter to control the flow of the nail polish fluid through the conveying tunnel(s). The shutter may be located at the body portion or at the discharge nozzle.
Optionally, the capsule includes a removable cover to protect at least the nail polish applying element. The cover is removed prior to inserting the capsule into the capsule compartment.
Optionally, the capsule is provided in a sealed package that is opened prior to applying the nail polish fluid to the nail surface(s). For example, the capsule may packed in a sealed box, bag and/or the like that may be opened, teared, removed and/or the like by the user prior to using the capsule.
The integrated brush storage and dispensing capsule may present significant benefits compared to existing devices, systems and/or methods for nail polish fluid application over nail surfaces. First, as opposed to traditional manual nail polish fluid application which may be the most common method, the capsule used in the complementary nail polish application apparatus facilitates an automated nail polish fluid application. While the manual nail polish fluid application may be very time consuming and may require skills, expertise and/or experience, the automated nail polish fluid application may allow any user having no relevant skills, knowledge, expertise and/or experience to easily apply the nail polish fluid. The automated nail polish fluid application may also significantly shorten the time of the application process and may even allow the user to engage in other activities while applying the nail polish fluid to his hand and/or toe nail surfaces.
While some devices and/or systems for automatically applying the nail polish fluid may exist, the capsule used in the complementary nail polish application apparatus provides a convenient user friendly solution. The user may be relieved of the need to handle the nail polish fluid, the brush and/or the like as may be needed by the existing devices. In addition, by isolating the nail polish fluid from the nail polish application apparatus, maintenance of the nail polish application apparatus may be significantly reduced. For example, avoiding and/or reducing the need to clean and/or replace parts of the nail polish application apparatus that come in contact with the nail polish fluid, for example, storage compartment(s), conveying tube(s), dispensing tube(s), brush(s) and/or the like. Reducing and/or simplifying the handling and/or the maintenance of the nail polish application apparatus may allow novice users to effectively use the nail polish application apparatus with no and/or minimal knowledge, experience and/or training, making the nail polish application apparatus highly suitable for home use. Furthermore, separating the nail polish fluid from the nail polish application apparatus may significantly reduce the complexity of design and/or operation of the nail polish application apparatus since none of the nail polish application apparatus's parts comes in contact with the nail polish fluid. This may result in reduced cost of the nail polish application apparatus making the nail polish application apparatus coupled with the disposable capsule highly affordable and accessible to ordinary un-professional users.
Moreover, the various nail polish fluid extrusion mechanisms supported by the capsule may allow the capsule to be easily adapted to fit into a plurality of nail polish application apparatuses employing various pressure application mechanisms. In addition, the straight forward nature of the pressure application action may further simplify the design, operation and/or maintenance of the nail polish application apparatus further reducing the cost of the nail polish application apparatus.
Furthermore, the capsule may ensure that the nail polish fluid used for the current application is not mixed and/or degraded by nail polish fluid residues left from previous applications as may happen in the existing devices employing multi-application implementations. The disposable single application nail polish applying element as utilized by the capsule may prevent degradation in the application quality, efficiency and/or operation as opposed to the existing devices that may experience such degradation over time and/or over multiple applications of the nail polish.
Another major benefit relates to drying the nail polish fluid after applied to the nail surface. The drying period of the nail polish after applied using the existing methods and/or devices, may be significant due to one or more materials, for example, solvents added to the nail polish fluid to prevent premature drying when exposed to the air. Since the nail polish fluid is stored in a sealed nail polish capsule intended for a single application, the anti-drying materials added to nail polish fluid may be significantly reduced and/or completely avoided. Therefore after applied to the nail polish, the nail polish fluid may dry significantly quicker than the nail polish fluid typically used by the existing devices and may therefore significantly shorten the overall nail polish application process.
Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components and/or methods set forth in the following description and/or illustrated in the drawings and/or the Examples. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways.
A storage and dispensing capsule described herein the present invention may be used by a nail polish application apparatus for applying nail polish to nail. However, a person skilled in the art may use the same concepts described throughout the present invention for a capsule used for a plurality of other film forming applications, for example, coloring, applying protective layer(s), applying fluid and/or water resistance layer(s) and/or the like.
Several embodiments of the storage and dispensing capsule for nail polish fluid are described hereinafter. However the presented embodiments should not be construed as limiting. A person skilled in the art may implement, construct, arrange and/or produce the capsule and/or parts thereof through multiple other implementations, structures, shapes, production methods and the like which employ the same concepts described throughout the present invention. Moreover, while one or more of the capsule's features may be described hereinafter for one or more of the embodiments, the features may be applicable for other embodiments as well even when not explicitly stated.
Referring now to the drawings,
The body portion 103 defines a reservoir adapted to contain nail polish fluid 106, for example, polish fluid, a base coating fluid, a top coating fluid, a drying material a nail art polish fluid, a medical nail treatment fluid and/or the like. The body portion 103 may be constructed in one of a plurality of shapes, for example, a cylinder, a cone, a pyramid, a box and/or the like. The body portion 103 may be further shaped to funnel the nail polish fluid 106 towards the discharge nozzle 108, for example, as an inverted cup-shaped body, as a conic like shaped body and/or the like. The amount of the nail polish fluid 106 contained in the body portion 103 may pre-defined to suffice for a single application of the nail polish fluid 106 on one or more nail surface(s), for example, a single nail surface, the nail surfaces of a single hand, the nail surfaces of two hands, the nail surfaces of two hands and two feet and/or the like. The body portion 103 may include a flange-like rim 114 defining a perimeter of the top end of the body portion 103. The flange-like rim 114 may be assist in guiding, positioning and/or locking the capsule 100 in a capsule compartment of the nail polish application apparatus.
Optionally, one or more stirring objects 118, for example, a ball, a ring and/or the like may be disposed inside the body portion 103. When shaking the capsule 100, the stirring object(s) 118 may move inside the body portion 103 thus stirring the nail polish fluid 106. This may improve a homogenous distribution of the composition of the nail polish fluid 106. Shaking the capsule 100 may be done manually by the user before placing the capsule 100 in the dispensing compartment. Optionally, the nail polish application apparatus may shake automatically the capsule 100. The nail polish application apparatus may shake the capsule 100 prior to placing the capsule 100 in the dispensing compartment and/or in the dispensing compartment.
The discharge nozzle 108 comprises one or more conveying tunnels 112 and an integrated nail polish applying element 110. The conveying tunnel(s) 112 are adapted to convey the nail polish fluid 106 from the body portion 103 to the nail polish applying element 110. A diameter of the conveying tunnel(s) 112 may be adapted according to a viscosity property of the nail polish fluid 106 to convey a constant flow of the nail polish fluid 106 to the nail polish applying element 110. For example, the diameter of the conveying tunnel(s) 112 may be in a range of 0.1-3 millimeters.
Optionally, the body portion 103 and the discharge nozzle 108 are constructed and produced as a single piece.
The nail polish applying element 110 integrated with the discharge nozzle 108 may be mounted on the discharge nozzle such that the nail polish applying element 110 is in line with the discharge nozzle 108 or tilted with respect to the discharge nozzle 108. The nail polish applying element 110 may comprise hair strands such that the nail polish fluid 106 flows over the hair strands dispensing the nail polish fluid 106 over the nail surface. Additionally, and/or alternatively, the dispensing head 110 may include one or more elastic tubes and/or solid pipes, for example, a syringe needle to dispense the nail polish fluid 106 over the nail surface. The nail polish applying element 110 also include a sponge, a wiper and/or the like to apply the nail polish fluid 106 over the nail surface. The nail polish applying element 110 may further include a combination of two or more of the hair strands, the elastic tube(s), the pipe(s), the sponge and/or the wiper. Optionally, the nail polish applying element 110 is provided separately from the body portion 103 and/or the discharge nozzle 108. The user may manually attach the nail polish applying element 110 to the discharge nozzle 108. The attachment of the nail polish applying element 110 to the discharge nozzle 108 may be employ one or more assembly methods, for example, clamping, screwing, pressing, clipping and/or the like.
In some embodiments, the capsule 100 is constructed of a container housing 102 and a container 104. The container housing 102 comprises the body portion 103 and the discharge nozzle 108 while the container 104 defines the reservoir adapted to contain the nail polish fluid 106. An upper face of the container 104 has an opening sealed with a sliding gasket 105. The sliding gasket 105 may be produced of one or more materials, for example, rubber, silicon and/or the like which have high expansion capability allowing sealing of the opening in the top face of the container 104. The container 104 as well as the body portion 103 adapted to receive and accommodate the container 104 may be constructed in one of a plurality of shapes, for example, a cylinder, a cone, a pyramid, a box and/or the like. The capsule 100 constructed of the container housing 102 and the container 104 may be provided pre-assembled such that the container 104 is inserted in the container housing 102.
Optionally, the container 104 and the container housing 102 are provided as a kit in which the container 104 and the container housing 102 are separated. The container 104 may be manually inserted into the container housing 102 by a user prior to inserting the capsule 100 into the capsule compartment of the nail polish application apparatus. Optionally, the container 104 may be inserted automatically into the container housing 102 by the nail polish application apparatus, for example, after the container housing 102 is placed in the capsule compartment. In another example, the nail polish application apparatus may insert automatically the container 104 into the container housing 102 prior to placing the container housing 102 in the capsule compartment and placing the assembled capsule into the capsule compartment.
Optionally, one or more stirring objects such as the stirring object 118 are disposed inside container 104. When shaking the container 104, the stirring object(s) 118 may move inside the container 104 thus stirring the nail polish fluid 106. In case the container 104 is provide separated from the container housing 102, shaking the container 104 may be done before inserting the container 104 into the container housing 102. In case the container 104 is pre-installed in the container housing 102, the entire capsule 100 may be shaken in order for the stirring object(s) 118 to stir the nail polish fluid 106 contained in the container 104. Shaking capsule 100 and/or the container 104 may be done manually by the user before placing the capsule 100 in the dispensing compartment. Optionally, the nail polish application apparatus may shake automatically the capsule 100. The nail polish application apparatus may shake the capsule 100 prior to placing the capsule 100 in the dispensing compartment and/or in the dispensing compartment.
The body portion 103, the discharge nozzle 108 and/or the container 104 may be produced from one or more materials, for example, a polymer, glass, metal, a ceramic material and/or the like. The body portion 103 and/or the container 104 may be air sealed to prevent the nail polish fluid 106 from contacting the air. The body portion 103, the discharge nozzle 108 and/or the container 104 may be further produced from one or more materials characterized by a low permeability coefficient to prevent one or more components of the nail polish fluid, for example, solvents from diffusing and evaporating over time.
Optionally, the capsule 100 includes a cover 116 to protect at least the nail polish applying element 110. The cover 116 may be attached to the container housing 102 while the capsule 100 is not used, i.e. not placed in the capsule compartment of the nail polish application apparatus. The cover 116 may be attached to the container housing 102 through one or more mechanisms, for example, placed, screwed, glued, pushed and/or the like. The cover 116 may be removed prior to placing the capsule 100 in the dispensing compartment. The cover 116 may be manually removed by the user. Optionally, the cover 116 is removed automatically by the nail polish application apparatus prior to placing the capsule 100 in the dispensing compartment and/or in the dispensing compartment.
Optionally, the polish application apparatus removes and places back on the cover 116 during the nail application process. For example, in case the user started the nail polish application process and wishes to pause the application process (i.e. the nail polish application apparatus enters a pause mode), the nail polish application apparatus may place the cover 116 back over the capsule 100 in order to protect the nail polish applying head 110 by preventing the nail polish fluid 106 present on the nail polish applying head 110 from drying. This may also prevent the nail polish fluid 106 present inside the conveying tunnel(s) 112 from drying. When the user resumes the application process, the nail polish application apparatus may again remove the cover 116 from the capsule 100. During the initialization of the nail polish application process, the cover 116 may be used to evenly dispense the nail polish fluid 106 over the nail polish applying element 110.
In some embodiments, the cover 116 may serve as a bucket to collect the nail polish fluid 106 which may drip from the nail polish applying element 110. Such dripping may occur since the internal pressure built in the reservoir may still apply sufficient pressure to force at least some of the nail polish fluid 106 through the conveying tunnel(s) 112 and the nail polish applying element 110. The cover 116 may be disposed at the end of the nail polish application process.
Optionally, the capsule 100 is provided in a sealed package that is opened prior to applying the nail polish fluid 106 to the nail surface(s). For example, the capsule 100 may be packed in a sealed box, bag and/or the like that may be opened, teared, removed and/or the like by the user prior to using the capsule 100.
As stated before, the capsule 100 and/or parts thereof may be designed, constructed and/or produced through multiple other implementations, structures, shapes, production methods and the like which employ the same concepts described throughout the present invention. As shown in
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One or more circumferential sealing elements 210, for example, 210A and/or 210B may be disposed between a circumferential lateral wall of the container 104A and a circumferential lateral wall of the body portion 103A. The circumferential sealing elements 210 may be made from one or more sealing materials, for example, rubber, silicon and/or the like. The circumferential sealing element(s) 210 may be constructed as part of the container 104A and/or the as part of the body portion 103A. Optionally, the sealing element(s) 210 may be separate parts, for example, bands that are placed on the container 104A.
The body portion 103A may include one or more stoppage elements 212 disposed inside the body portion 103A to lock the container 104A securely inside the body portion 103A. The stoppage element 212 may be constructed as part of the body portion 103A inherent shape, for example, as a protrusion, a shelf, a surface and/or the like adapted to block the movement of the container 104A towards a bottom side of the body portion 103A. The stoppage element 212 may be disposed along the entire perimeter of the internal side of the circumferential lateral wall of the body portion 103A. Optionally, the stoppage element(s) 212 may be located only at one or more locations along the internal side of the circumferential lateral wall of the body portion 103A.
The container 104A includes one or more openings 214 located at a bottom face of the container 104A. The opening(s) 214 has two operational states, in the first state which is the default state, the opening(s) 214 is closed thus preventing the nail polish fluid 106 from flowing out of the container 104A. In the second state, the opening(s) 214 is opened thus releasing the nail polish fluid 106 from the container 104A into the body portion 103A. The opening(s) 214 automatically transitions from the first state to the second state when internal pressure is built in the reservoir defined by the container 104A. Optionally, the opening(s) 214 is unidirectional allowing the nail polish fluid 106 to flow out of the body portion 104A while preventing the nail polish fluid 106 from re-entering the body portion 103A. In one example, the opening(s) 214 may be utilized by a weakened surface area at the bottom face of the container 104A. The weakened surface may form a sealed bottom face of the container 104A when the capsule 100A is not in use (i.e. in the first state) thus preventing the nail polish fluid 106 from flowing out of the container 104A. The weakened surface area may break automatically under the internal pressure built in the reservoir defined by the container 104A to release the nail polish fluid 106 to the body portion 103A. In another exemplary implementation, the opening(s) 214 is utilized through a mechanical valve having the two operational states. By default, under no pressure, the mechanical valve is closed thus preventing the nail polish fluid 106 from flowing out of the container 104A. The mechanical valve may open automatically when the internal pressure is built in reservoir thus transitioning to the second state in which the nail polish fluid 106 may be released to the body portion 103A.
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Optionally, the capsule compartment 202 may be adapted to host the capsule 100A such that when properly inserted and locked in place in the capsule compartment 202, the nail polish applying head 110 is tilted with respect to a nail surface of the user using the nail polish application apparatus. The tilted positioning may improve the application of the nail polish fluid 106 by the nail polish applying head 110. For example, the side of the nail surface may be curved and approaching the nail surface from an angle may allow the nail polish applying head 110 to better dispense the nail polish fluid 106 over the nail surface.
Reference is now made to
The body portion 103B further includes one or more internal puncturing elements 304 disposed inside body portion 103B underneath the bottom face of the container 104B. The internal puncturing elements 304 may be shaped, for example, as a piercing protuberance, a piercing protrusion, a sharp extension and/or the like.
In its initial state, the capsule 100B is provided with the container 104B placed in an elevated position at a top portion of the body portion 103B such that the container 104B is not in contact with the internal puncturing element(s) 304. The container 104B may be held in the elevated position by force of friction between the circumferential lateral wall of the container 104B and the circumferential lateral wall of the body portion 103B. Optionally, the body portion 103B includes one or more weakened holding elements 302 that may hold the container 104B in the elevated position.
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Optionally, the pressure applying element 204 is adapted to first apply pressure on the entire container 104B and/or at least on the circumferential lateral wall of the container 104B in order push the entire container 104B downwards in the body portion 103B until locked in place by the stoppage element(s) 212. After the container 104B is locked in place (operational position), the pressure applying element 204 may apply the pressure to the sliding gasket 105B. For example, the pressure applying element 204 may be adjustable with two surface sizes and/or diameters, a first size adapted to fit a size of the top face of the container 104B and a second size adapted to fit the top face of the sliding gasket 105B and/or part thereof. Optionally, the container 104B is attached to a top cover and/or a top seal covering the top face of the capsule 100B. The top cover and/or top seal may be removed from the capsule 100B thus releasing the container 104B such that the container 104B may slide down until locked in place by the stoppage element(s) 212. The top cover and/or top seal may be removed manually by the user and/or automatically by the nail polish application apparatus before and/or after placed in the capsule compartment 202.
While the container 104B is pushed towards the bottom side of the body portion 103B, the bottom face of the container 104B may be punctured by the internal puncturing element(s) 304. The puncturing location in the bottom face of the container 104B may be adapted as a weakened area to be easily punctured by the internal puncturing element(s) 304. As the container 104B is punctured, the nail polish fluid 106 contained in the container 104B is released into the body portion 103B. The container 104B may be pushed downwards until locked in place by the stoppage element(s) 212.
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In its initial state, the capsule 100C is provided with the container 104C placed in an elevated position at a top portion of the body portion 103C such that the container 104C is not in contact with the piercing conveying tunnel 402. The container 104C may be held in the elevated position by force of friction between the circumferential lateral wall of the container 104C and the circumferential lateral wall of the body portion 103C. Optionally, the body portion 103C includes one or more weakened holding elements such as the weakened holding element 302 that may hold the container 104C in the elevated position.
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While the container 104C is pushed towards the bottom side of the body portion 103C, the bottom face of the container 104C may be punctured by the piercing conveying tunnel 402. The puncturing location in the bottom face of the container 104C may be adapted as a weakened area to be easily punctured by the piercing conveying tunnel 402. As the container 104C is punctured, the nail polish fluid 106 contained in the container 104C is released into the body portion 103C. The container 104C may be pushed downwards until locked in place by the stoppage element(s) 212.
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Optionally, the opening(s) 602 may be opened by an external puncturing element such as the external puncturing element 502 to allow the nail polish fluid 106 to flow through the conveying tunnel(s) 112 to the nail polish applying element 110.
Reference is now made to
The body portion 103F which defines the reservoir adapted to contain nail polish fluid such as the nail polish fluid 106 further includes an internal membrane surface 702. The membrane surface 702 confines the nail polish fluid 106 to an upper portion of the body portion 103F. The membrane surface 702 is disposed in the body portion 103F such that it is not in contact with the piercing conveying tunnel 402.
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Optionally, the construction of the capsule 100F employs the structure and technique described for the capsule 100B. In such embodiments, the body portion 103F includes one or more internal puncturing elements such as the internal puncturing element 304. The membrane surface 702 is disposed in the body portion 103F such that it is not in contact with the internal puncturing element 304. In such embodiments, the capsule 100F may utilize a discharge nozzle such as the discharge nozzle 108.
Optionally, the membrane surface 702 is a sealing surface that is fractured by an external puncturing element such as the external puncturing element 502 to allow the nail polish fluid 106 to flow through the conveying tunnel(s) 112 to the nail polish applying element 110.
Optionally, in case one or more stirring elements such as the stirring element 118 are disposed in the body portion 103F, the stirring element(s) 118 may be used to assist fracturing the membrane surface 702. When shaking the capsule 100F to stir the nail polish fluid 106 contained in the body portion 103F, the stirring element(s) 118 may press the membrane surface 702 against the piercing conveying tunnel 402 and/or the internal puncturing element 304. This may fracture the membrane surface 702 thus releasing the nail polish fluid 106 from the upper portion of the body portion 103F.
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As the pressure applying element 204 moves down, the high elasticity faces 804 may fold thus deforming the body portion 103G and reducing the volume of the reservoir defined by the body portion 103G. The reduced volume may build an internal pressure in the reservoir which may fracture body portion 103G at the sealed opening(s) 806 which may automatically open, i.e. automatically transition from the first state to the second state thus releasing the nail polish fluid 106 contained in the to the body portion 103G. The internal pressure may further force the released nail polish fluid 106 to flow through the conveying tunnel(s) 112 to the nail polish applying element 110.
Optionally, the opening(s) 806 is a sealing surface that is fractured by an external puncturing element such as the external puncturing element 502 to allow the nail polish fluid 106 to flow through the conveying tunnel(s) 112 to the nail polish applying element 110.
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Optionally, the opening(s) 904 is a sealing surface that is fractured by an external puncturing element such as the external puncturing element 502 to allow the nail polish fluid 106 to flow through the conveying tunnel(s) 112 to the nail polish applying element 110.
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Optionally, the opening(s) 1006 is a sealing surface that is fractured by an external puncturing element such as the external puncturing element 502 to allow the nail polish fluid 106 to flow through the conveying tunnel(s) 112 to the nail polish applying element 110.
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Optionally, the opening(s) 1102 is a sealing surface that is fractured by an external puncturing element such as the external puncturing element 502 to allow the nail polish fluid 106 to flow through the conveying tunnel(s) 112 to the nail polish applying element 110.
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Optionally, one or more magnetic piercing elements are disposed in the body portion.
The capsule 100L may be inserted into the capsule compartment 202 having the magnetic field generator(s) 1206. When the magnetic field is generated by the magnetic field generator(s) 1206 (for example, excited by the electrical current), the magnetic piercing element(s) 1208 may be attracted to the source of the magnetic field, i.e. towards the magnetic field generator(s) 1206. While moving towards the magnetic field generator(s) 1206, the magnetic piercing element(s) 1208 may press against the membrane surface 1202 and as result may fracture the membrane surface 1202. Optionally, one or more ends, faces and/or sides of the magnetic piercing element(s) 1208 include sharpened ends to improve a piercing capability of the magnetic piercing element(s) 1208.
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The capsule 100M further includes an inner container 1302 disposed inside the body portion 103M. While the body portion 103M defines a reservoir, the inner container 1302 contains nail polish fluid such as the nail polish fluid 106. The inner container 1302 may be disposed in the body portion 103M such that it is not in contact with the piercing conveying tunnel 402.
The capsule 100M may employ a construction of one or more of the capsule embodiments described herein above, for example, the capsule 100E having a sliding gasket 105E, the capsule 100G having one or more high elasticity faces, the capsule 100H having one or more annular corrugations and/or the like. For brevity, the mechanism of the capsule 100E is described however this should not be construed as limiting. In the described embodiment, an opening in a top face of the body portion 103M is sealed with a sliding gasket 105M such as the sliding gasket 105E.
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Optionally, the construction of the capsule 100M employs the structure and technique described for the capsule 100B. In such embodiments, the body portion 103M includes one or more internal puncturing elements such as the internal puncturing element 304. The inner container 1302 is disposed in the body portion 103M such that it is not in contact with the internal puncturing element 304. In such embodiments, the capsule 100M may utilize a discharge nozzle such as the discharge nozzle 108.
Optionally, the inner container 1302 is fractured by an external puncturing element such as the external puncturing element 502 to allow the nail polish fluid 106 to flow through the conveying tunnel(s) 112 to the nail polish applying element 110.
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Optionally, the opening(s) 1502A and/or 1502B are sealing surfaces that are fractured by an external puncturing element such as the external puncturing element 502 to release the nail polish fluids 106A and/or 106B from the chambers 103O-1 and/or 103O-2 respectively into the body portion 103O. As the pressure applying element 204 further deforms the body portion 103O, the increased internal pressure in the reservoir defined by the body portion 103O may force the mixed nail polish fluid 106C to flow through the conveying tunnel 112 to the nail polish applying element 110.
Reference is now made to
The capsule 100P may be inserted into a capsule compartment such as the capsule compartment 202. The pressure applying element 204 may press down the sliding gasket 105P which slides down towards the bottom face of the container 104P. The body portion 103P may include one or more stoppage elements such as the stoppage element 212 to secure the container 104P in place while the pressure applying element 204 presses against the sliding gasket 105P. As result of the sliding gasket 105P moving toward the bottom side of the body portion 103P, a volume of the reservoir defined by the container 104P is reduced thus building the internal pressure in the reservoir. The internal pressure may fracture the container 104P as the opening(s) 1602 may automatically open, i.e. automatically transition from the first state to the second state thus releasing the nail polish fluid 106 contained in the container 104P into the body portion 103P. The internal pressure may further force the released nail polish fluid 106 to flow between the circumferential walls of the container 104P and the circumferential walls of the body portion 103P and through the conveying tunnel(s) 112 to the nail polish applying element 110.
The capsule 100Q may be inserted into the capsule compartment 202 which is adapted to have a pressure applying element such as the pressure applying element 204 pushing the sliding gasket 105Q towards the top face of the container 104Q. The body portion 103Q may include one or more stoppage elements such as the stoppage element 212 to secure the container 104Q in place while the pressure applying element 204 presses against the sliding gasket 105Q. As result of the sliding gasket 105Q moving toward the top side of the body portion 103Q, a volume of the reservoir defined by the container 104Q is reduced thus building the internal pressure in the reservoir. The internal pressure may fracture the container 104Q as the opening(s) 1602 may automatically open, i.e. automatically transition from the first state to the second state thus releasing the nail polish fluid 106 contained in the container 104Q into the body portion 103Q. The internal pressure may further force the released nail polish fluid 106 to flow through the conveying tunnel(s) 1604 and through the conveying tunnel(s) 112 to the nail polish applying element 110.
Optionally, the body portion 103Q includes one or more internal puncturing elements 1606 such as the internal puncturing element 304 that may be located at the internal side of the top face of the body portion 103Q. When the container 104Q is pushed upwards towards the top face of the body portion 103Q, the internal puncturing element(s) 1606 may fracture the container 104Q thus releasing the nail polish fluid 106 contained in the container 104Q into the body portion 103Q.
Reference is now made to
The capsule 100 may include a top seal 1702 that may seal the body portion 103 to prevent air contacting the air as well as preventing evaporation of one or more components of nail polish fluid such as the nail polish fluid 106. The top seal 1702 may be produced from one or more materials, for example, a polymer, a metal foil (e.g. and aluminum foil and/or the like), a ceramic material and/or the like. Optionally, the material(s) used to produce the top seal 1702 is characterized by a low permeability coefficient to prevent one or more components of the nail polish fluid, for example, solvents from diffusing through the top seal 1702 and evaporate over time.
The top seal 1702 may be adapted with one or more braking joints 1304, in particular a braking joint disposed around a perimeter of the body portion 103, for example, over a flange-like rim such as the flange-like rim 114.
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Optionally, the top seal 1702 is removed manually by the user. In some embodiments, the top seal 1702 is removed automatically by a nail polish applying apparatus prior to applying the pressure applying element 204.
Reference is now made to
The capsule 100 may include a dynamically adjustable shutter 1802 installed on the discharge nozzle 108. The shutter 1802 may be used to control a flow rate of nail polish fluid such as the nail polish fluid 106 through the conveying tunnel 112 to the nail polish applying element 110. The shutter 1802 may include a blocking element, for example, a screw, a mechanical valve, an electromagnetic valve, a press lever and/or the like that may be set to two or more operational states. In a first state, the shutter 1802 may block the flow of the nail polish fluid 106 through the conveying tunnel(s) 112. In one or more other states, the shutter 1802 is adjusted to allow at least partial flow of the nail polish fluid 106 through the conveying tunnel(s) 112.
The shutter 1802, in particular when utilized as the screw, the press lever and/or the like may be operated by a user of the nail polish application apparatus. Additionally and/or alternatively, the shutter 1802, in particular when utilized as the mechanical valve, the electromagnetic valve and/or the like may be controlled by the nail polish application apparatus.
For example, the nail polish application apparatus may apply a magnetic field through the electromagnetic valve to transition between the operational states with respect to the magnitude of the magnetic field. In another example, the shutter 1802, in particular the pressing lever, may be adapted to mechanical couple (contact) a shutter control element of the nail polish application apparatus when the capsule 100 is placed in a capsule compartment such as, for example, the capsule compartment 202. The nail polish application apparatus may shift, move and/or maneuver the shutter control element to open and/or close the press lever.
Optionally, the shutter 1802 is part of the dispensing apparatus rather than the capsule 100D. For example, the shutter 1802 may be utilized by a peristaltic pump such as the peristaltic pump 1104 which may be adjusted to control the flow of the nail polish fluid 106 through the conveying tunnel(s) 112. Naturally, in such embodiments, the capsule 100 may be constructed with a discharge nozzle such as the discharge nozzle 108J of the capsule 100J.
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Since the needle 1906_1 is flexible, the capsule 100 may be further maneuvered to position the flexible needle 1906_1 with respect to the nail surface such that the nail polish applying tip 1912 may be slightly pressed against the nail surface. Therefore, when moving the capsule for applying the nail polish fluid 106 to the nail surface, the nail polish applying tip 1912 may accurately follow and/or adjust to the shape, outline, curvatures and/or the like of the nail surface area to which the nail polish fluid 106 is currently applied. This may significantly improve the results of the nail polish application since the accurate adjustment of the nail polish applying tip 1912 to each point of the nail surface may significantly improve a distribution of the nail polish fluid 106 to the designated nail surface area. This dynamic adjustment may also significantly improve uniform leveling of the nail polish fluid 106 over the entire nail surface since the application may be done at substantially similar conditions for each point on the nail surface.
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Positioning of the nail polish applying tip 1914 with respect to the nail surface may have major impact on the quality of the nail polish application since the positioning may affect, for example, accuracy of applying the nail polish fluid 106 to the desired nail surface area, accuracy of the painted area/line, distribution of the nail polish fluid 106 over the painted nail surface area and/or the like. To achieve best application of the nail polish fluid to the nail surface, the nail polish applying tip 1914 may be positioned at a certain height (gap) above the nail surface for example, in a range of 0 mm to 2.5 mm with an optimal gap in the range of 0 mm to 0.7 mm. However, the accuracy of the gap between the nail polish applying tip 1914 and the nail surface may depend on the diameter of the internal tunnel of the needle. The accuracy for maintaining the gap between the nail polish applying tip 1914 and the nail surface may be less significant for a small diameter of the internal tunnel and vice versa, the accuracy of the gap must be significantly high for larger diameters of the internal tunnel.
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Typically the nail polish applying element 110 may be fixated (mechanically coupled) to the discharge nozzle 108 in a vertical position, i.e. in line with the vertical axis of the discharge nozzle 108. However, in some embodiments of the present invention the brush assembly 108 may be mechanically coupled to the discharge nozzle 108 in a vertical position with respect to the vertical axis of the discharge nozzle 108. The tilted position of the nail polish applying element 110 may be useful for applying the nail polish fluid 106 on a side and/or curved surface of the nail.
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It should be noted that any two or more embodiments of the nail polish applying element 110 presented herein above may be combined together. Moreover, any of the exemplary nail polish applying element 110 and/or a combination thereof may be combined with the various embodiments of the capsules 100 described in the present invention.
Reference is now made to
As shown at 2002, the process 2000 starts with producing a body portion such as the body portion 103. The body portion 103 may be produced from one or more materials, for example, a polymer, glass, metal, a ceramic material and/or the like through one or more production methods, for example, molding, 3D printing, CNC machining and/or the like. Optionally, one or more of the material(s) used to produce the body portion 103 is characterized by a low permeability coefficient to prevent one or more components of the nail polish fluid, for example, solvents from diffusing through the body portion 103 and evaporating over time.
As shown at 2004, the process 2000 continues with producing a discharge nozzle such as the discharge nozzle 108. The discharge nozzle 108 may be produced from one or more materials, for example, a polymer, glass, metal, a ceramic material and/or the like through one or more production methods, for example, molding, 3D printing, CNC machining and/or the like.
As shown at 2006, the process 2000 continues with producing nail polish applying element such as the nail polish applying element 110. The nail polish applying element 110 may be produced in one or more configurations as described herein above using one or more materials, for example, a polymer, metal, hair strands and/or the like through one or more production methods, for example, molding, 3D printing, CNC machining and/or the like.
As shown at 2008, the nail polish applying element 110 is mechanically coupled to the discharge nozzle 108. In case the nail polish applying element 110 comprises a plurality of hair strands such as the hair strands 1902, for example, the nail polish applying elements 110A, 100B, 110C, 110D, 100F, 110H and/or 100I, the hair strands 1902 may fixated to the discharge nozzle 108 through one or more methods, for example, pinching, press fit, stapling, welding, soldering, gluing and/or the like. In case the nail polish applying element 110 comprises elastic tubes such as the elastic tube 1906, for example, the nail polish applying elements 110E and/or 100F, the elastic tube(s) 1906 may fixated to the discharge nozzle 108 through one or more methods, for example, pinching, press fit, welding, soldering, gluing and/or the like. Typically, the elastic tube(s) 1906 may be part of the discharge nozzle 108 forming a single piece produced using one or more production methods, for example, molding, 3D printing, CNC machining and/or the like.
As shown at 2010, the discharge nozzle is mechanically coupled to the body portion 103, in particular attaching a proximal end (typically a top end) of the discharge nozzle 108 to a bottom face of the body portion 103. The coupling may be done through one or more methods, for example, pinching, press fit, welding, soldering, gluing and/or the like. Typically, the body portion 103 and the discharge nozzle 108 are produced as single piece using one or more production methods, for example, molding, 3D printing, CNC machining and/or the like.
As shown at 2012, nail polish fluid such as the nail polish fluid 106 is inserted into the body portion 103.
As shown at 2014, the body portion 103 filled with the nail polish fluid 106 is sealed.
Optionally, in case the capsule 100 is constructed of a container housing such as the container housing 102 and a container such as the container 104, the two parts are produced. The container housing 102 comprising the body portion 103 and the discharge nozzle 108 may be produced as described in steps 2002 through 2010. The container 104 may be produced from one or more materials, for example, a polymer, glass, metal, a ceramic material and/or the like through one or more production methods, for example, molding, 3D printing, CNC machining and/or the like. Optionally, one or more of the material(s) used to produce the container 104 is characterized by a low permeability coefficient to prevent one or more components of the nail polish fluid, for example, solvents from diffusing through the inner container 1302 and evaporating over time. The container 104 may be filled with the nail polish fluid 106 and sealed with a gasket such as the sliding gasket 105. The sliding gasket 105 may be produced from one or more materials, for example, rubber, slicing and/or the like using one or more production methods, for example, molding, 3D printing, CNC machining and/or the like.
Optionally, an inner container such as the inner container 1302 is produced from one or more materials, for example, a polymer, glass, a metal foil, a ceramic material and/or the like through one or more production methods, for example, molding, 3D printing, gluing, CNC machining and/or the like. Optionally, one or more of the material(s) used to produce the inner container 1302 is characterized by a low permeability coefficient to prevent one or more components of the nail polish fluid, for example, solvents from diffusing through the inner container 1302 and evaporating over time. The inner container 1302 may be disposed in the body portion 103 and filled with the nail polish fluid 106. The inner container 1302 as well as the body portion 103 may then be sealed.
Optionally, a top seal such as the top seal 1702 is produced from one or more materials, for example, a metal foil, a cartoon, a polymer and/or the like. The top seal 1702 may be attached to the top circumferential edge of the body portion 103 using one or more methods, for example, pinching, press fit, welding, soldering, gluing and/or the like.
Optionally, a removable cover such as the cover 116 is produced from one or more materials, for example, a metal, a polymer and/or the like. The cover 116 may employ one or more attachment techniques to the body portion 103 and/or the discharge nozzle 108, for example, placed, screwed, glued, pushed and/or the like.
Reference is now made to
The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes”, “including”, “having” and their conjugates mean “including but not limited to”.
The term “consisting of” means “including and limited to”.
The term “consisting essentially of” means that the composition, method or structure may include additional ingredients, steps and/or parts, but only if the additional ingredients, steps and/or parts do not materially alter the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed composition, method or structure.
As used herein, the singular form “a”, “an” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
Throughout this application, various embodiments of this invention may be presented in a range format. It should be understood that the description in range format is merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the description of a range should be considered to have specifically disclosed all the possible subranges as well as individual numerical values within that range. For example, description of a range such as from 1 to 6 should be considered to have specifically disclosed subranges such as from 1 to 3, from 1 to 4, from 1 to 5, from 2 to 4, from 2 to 6, from 3 to 6 etc., as well as individual numbers within that range, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. This applies regardless of the breadth of the range.
Whenever a numerical range is indicated herein, it is meant to include any cited numeral (fractional or integral) within the indicated range. The phrases “ranging/ranges between” a first indicate number and a second indicate number and “ranging/ranges from” a first indicate number “to” a second indicate number are used herein interchangeably and are meant to include the first and second indicated numbers and all the fractional and integral numerals therebetween
It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the invention. Certain features described in the context of various embodiments are not to be considered essential features of those embodiments, unless the embodiment is inoperative without those elements.
Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.
It is the intent of the Applicant(s) that all publications, patents and patent applications referred to in this specification are to be incorporated in their entirety by reference into the specification, as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually noted when referenced that it is to be incorporated herein by reference. In addition, citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present invention. To the extent that section headings are used, they should not be construed as necessarily limiting. In addition, any priority document(s) of this application is/are hereby incorporated herein by reference in its/their entirety.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/482,269 filed on Jul. 31, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,129,461, which is a National Phase of PCT Patent Application No. PCT/IL2018/050109 having International Filing Date of Jan. 31, 2018, which claims the benefit of priority under 35 USC § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 62/452,461 filed on Jan. 31, 2017 and 62/533,720 filed on Jul. 18, 2017. The contents of the above applications are all incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein in their entirety.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 16482269 | US | |
| Child | 17406170 | US |
