Device for removing artificial fingernails and fingernail polish

• US 6,901,935 B2
• Filed: 11/19/2002
• Issued: 06/07/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kiss Products, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Kiss Products, Inc.
• Inventors: Chang, Yong Jin
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilson, John J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DOAN, ROBYN KIEU
• Application Number:
  US10/299,151
• Publication Number:
  US 20040094177A1
• Time in Patent Office: 931 Days
• Field of Search: 132/74.5, 132/75, 132/73.5, 132/76.5, 151/049.2, 151/673, 401/122, 215/383, 215/384, 215/382, 215/6, 220/755, 220/23.83, 222/94
• US Class Current: 132/75
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 29/007 Nail polish removing devices
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 31/00 Artificial nails

Abstract

An artificial nail and polish remover includes a container for holding a quantity of solvent. The container defines a top opening, a semi-circular receptacle communicating with the top opening and a circular receptacle communicating with the top opening. The semi-circular receptacle is sized and shaped for simultaneous insertion therein of all the fore-fingers of a hand and the circular receptacle is positioned adjacent the semi-circular receptacle for insertion therein of the thumb. The container includes two indents which extend inwardly into the container for providing a secure finger grip to the container. The remover further includes a strip brush member fixedly coiled around the inside perimeter of the semi-circular receptacle and a tubular brush fixed within the circular receptacle. The remover further includes an insert fitted within the container.

Claims

1. A device for removing artificial fingernails and fingernail polish comprising:

a container having a bottom, a continuous side wall and a top, said container defining a semi-circular receptacle opening at said top and a circular receptacle opening at said top, said semi-circular receptacle opening being sized and shaped for simultaneous insertion therein of the fore-fingers of a hand and said circular receptacle opening being positioned adjacent said semi-circular receptacle opening whereby the thumb of a user of said remover can be inserted simultaneously with said fore-fingers;

a strip brush member having a plurality of bristles, said strip brush member being fixed around an inside perimeter wall of said semi-circular receptacle opening, whereby said bristles project inwardly into said semi-circular receptacle opening for scuffing the nails of the fore-fingers; and

a tubular brush having a plurality of bristles, said tubular brush being fixed within said circular receptacle opening, whereby said bristles project inwardly into said circular receptacle opening for scuffing the thumbnail.

2. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said strip brush member comprises a front face and a back face, said bristles projecting from said front face and said back face having at least one groove formed thereon, and wherein said inside perimeter wall includes a projection formed thereon for engaging said groove, whereby said strip brush member is fixed against movement during scuffing.

3. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said tubular brush comprises a cylinder having a wall with a plurality of slits formed therethrough, whereby solvent flows into and out of the interior of said tubular brush.

4. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said side wall comprises two depressions formed therein, whereby a secure grip can be made of said container by the non-inserted hand of said user.

5. A device as defined in claim 4, wherein said depressions extend inwardly into said container, thereby partially defining said semi-circular receptacle opening and said circular receptacle opening.

6. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said semi-circular receptacle opening is in fluid communication with said circular receptacle opening.

7. A device for removing artificial fingernails and fingernail polish comprising:

a container having a bottom, a continuous side wall and a top, said container defining a semi-circular receptacle opening at said top and a circular receptacle opening at said top, said semi-circular receptacle opening being sized and shaped for simultaneous insertion therein of the fore-fingers of a hand and said circular receptacle opening being positioned adjacent said semi-circular receptacle opening whereby the thumb of a user of said remover can be inserted simultaneously with said fore-fingers; and

an insert fitted into said container, said insert having a tubular portion and a finger support portion, said tubular portion including a cylindrical bore defining said circular receptacle opening and said finger support portion, along with said continuous side wall of said container, defining said semi-circular receptacle opening.

8. A device as defined in claim 7, further comprising:

a strip brush member having a plurality of bristles, said strip brush member being fixed around an inside perimeter wall of said semi-circular receptacle opening, whereby said bristles project inwardly into said semi-circular receptacle opening for scuffing the nails of the fore-fingers; and

a tubular brush having a plurality of bristles, said tubular brush being fixed within said cylindrical bore of said insert, whereby said bristles project inwardly into said circular receptacle opening for scuffing the thumbnail.

9. A device as defined in claim 8, wherein said strip brush member comprises a front face and a back face, said bristles projecting from said front face and said back face having at least one notch formed thereon, and wherein said finger support portion of said insert includes a projection formed thereon for engaging with said notch, whereby said strip brush member is fixed against movement during scuffing.

10. A device as defined in claim 8, wherein said strip brush member comprises a front face and a back face, said bristles projecting from said front face and said back face having at least one projection formed thereon, and wherein said finger support portion of said insert includes a groove formed therein for engaging with said projection, whereby said strip brush member is fixed against movement during scuffing.

11. A device as defined in claim 8, wherein said strip brush member comprises a front face, a back face, two sets of bristles projecting from said front face and a central portion separating said two sets of bristles, said back face of said strip brush member adjacent said central portion being positioned against said finger support portion of said insert.

12. A device as defined in claim 11, wherein said bristles extend in substantially parallel rows from said central portion outwardly to opposite ends of said strip brush member, at least the first row of bristles adjacent the central portion being shorter in length than the remaining rows of bristles.

13. A device as defined in claim 8, wherein said tubular brush comprises a cylinder having a wall with a plurality of slits formed therethrough, whereby solvent flows into and out of the interior of said tubular brush.

14. A device for removing artificial fingernails and fingernail polish comprising:

a container having a bottom, a continuous side wall and a top, said container defining a semi-circular receptacle opening at said top and a circular receptacle opening at said top, said semi-circular receptacle opening being sized and shaped for simultaneous insertion therein of the fore-fingers of a hand and said circular receptacle opening being positioned adjacent said semi-circular receptacle opening whereby the thumb of a user of said remover can be inserted simultaneously with said fore-fingers; and

an insert fitted into said container, said insert comprising;

a tubular portion including a cylindrical bore defining said circular receptacle opening;

a finger support portion separated from said tubular portion by two insert depressions corresponding in shape to said depressions formed in said container, said finger support portion, along with said continuous side wall of said container, defining said semi-circular receptacle opening; and

a shoulder portion connecting said tubular portion and said finger support portion;

said shoulder portion resting on said container depressions.

15. A device as defined in claim 14, further comprising:

a strip brush member having a plurality of bristles, said strip brush member being fixed around an inside perimeter wall of said semi-circular receptacle opening, whereby said bristles project inwardly into said semi-circular receptacle opening for scuffing the nails of the fore-fingers; and

a tubular brush having a plurality of bristles, said tubular brush being fixed within said cylindrical bore of said insert, whereby said bristles project inwardly into said circular receptacle opening for scuffing the thumbnail.

16. A device as defined in claim 15, wherein said strip brush member comprises a front face and a back face, said bristles projecting from said front face and said back face having at least one notch formed thereon, and wherein said finger support portion of said insert includes a projection formed thereon for engaging with said notch, whereby said strip brush member is fixed against movement during scuffing.

17. A device as defined in claim 15, wherein said strip brush member comprises a front face and a back face, said bristles projecting from said front face and said back face having at least one projection formed thereon, and wherein said finger support portion of said insert includes a groove formed therein for engaging with said projection, whereby said strip brush member is fixed against movement during scuffing.

18. A device as defined in claim 15, wherein said strip brush member comprises a front face, a back face, two sets of bristles projecting from said front face and a central portion separating said two sets of bristles, said back face of said strip brush member adjacent said central portion being positioned against said finger support portion of said insert.

19. A device as defined in claim 18, wherein said bristles extend in substantially parallel rows from said central portion outwardly to opposite ends of said strip brush member, at least the first row of bristles adjacent the central portion being shorter in length than the remaining rows of bristles.

20. A device as defined in claim 15, wherein said tubular brush comprises a cylinder having a wall with a plurality of slits formed therethrough, whereby solvent flows into and out of the interior of said tubular brush.