US20070235051A1 - Artificial nail kit and fluid dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

A kit of preformed artificial nails or tips is disclosed comprising a plurality of artificial nails or tips, a dispenser comprising a container containing fluid and a brush assembly comprising a brush extending from a base, the brush assembly being adapted to be coupled to the container with the brush extending outward therefrom. The base comprises at least one opening therethrough wherein the at least one opening is adapted to allow the fluid to flow across the brush when the brush assembly is coupled to the container and the container is open to permit the flow of fluid. The container is provided with a cover that seals the fluid inside of the container until such time as the integrity of the cover is disturbed by puncturing, removal, or the like. The kit further comprises a package containing the artificial nails, the dispenser, and the applicator cap.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention relates to human nail decorations, and more specifically the invention pertains to a kit of preformed artificial nails and an adhesive dispenser for adherence of preformed artificial nails to human nails.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• Well manicured hands and feet present a polished, professional appearance. A major factor in such a manicured appearance is the presentation of one's nails. Many individuals are unable or unwilling, however, to grow or maintain healthy nails of a desired length or uniformity. Alternately, they may not have the time, skill, or financial wherewithal to maintain or obtain a more finished appearance that may result from well manicured and/or polished nails. As a result, entire industries have developed around the artificial supplementation and enhancement of natural nails.
• Such enhancements may range from manicuring and polishing of natural fingernails to individually building artificial nails on the natural nail and nail form from an acrylic powder and liquid which chemically bond to the nail surface as the artificial nail is built. Prior to application of an acrylic nail, a bonding agent or primer is applied directly to the natural nail. Typically, a form is placed subjacent the free edge of the user's finger nail or a tip portion is applied to the finger nail when the user desires a lengthening of the natural nail. Acrylic nails are built up and formed directly on the user's own finger nail and the form and/or tip from a mixture of an acrylic liquid (typically methacrylate ester) and an acrylic powder (typically methacrylate copolymer). The operator then dips an applicator brush in the liquid and then the powder, which are mixed together to provide a flowable acrylic resin that is repeatedly brushed over the length of the nail and tip and/or form to develop an acrylic nail. The acrylic literally bonds with the user's own fingernail. Although kits are available for home fabrication of such acrylic nails, acrylic nails are typically formed in salons. While such acrylic nails are relatively durable, the process of fabricating acrylic nails is time consuming and can be expensive. The use of acrylic nails also requires regular maintenance as the user's natural nails grow out. Finally, because the acrylic bonds to the nail surface, removal of such acrylic nails from the user's natural nails requires particular chemicals or mechanically prying the developed acrylic nail from the natural nail surface, and can still result in damage to the natural nail.
• So-called gel tips are similarly built up directly on the user's natural nail, generally following the placement of a tip. The tip itself may be adhered to the natural nail using an adhesive or a fluid gel overlay, typically an ethyl cyanoacrylate, strengthening the line between the natural nail and artificial tip if desired. The fluid gel overlay is then brushed over the entire nail and tip, if utilized. Optionally, the wet nail is then dipped into a powder substance (typically an ethyl methacrylate), and this process repeated. Finally, a gel activator, typically an ethyl acetate, is then applied, generally by brush or spray, to set the gel overlay. The finished nail is then buffed smooth.
• Between these two extremes (of time-consuming manicures and the creation of acrylic or gel nails directly on the user's natural nail), are preformed, artificial nails that are glued or otherwise bonded to a person's own naturally occurring fingernails. Such nails are readily available to a wide range of users through drug and department stores. Such preformed artificial nails may be clear or opaque, and/or prepolished and/or decorated to provide the desired appearance. Preformed artificial nails provide users with a relatively quick and economical means by which to provide a polished, manicured appearance.
• Such preformed artificial nails are traditionally made of plastic materials such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyethylene or polypropylene and are secured to the user's nail with an adhesive. The preformed nails may be removed using commonly available acetone nail polish remover, which dissolves the adhesive to separate the preformed nail from the natural nail. Preformed artificial nails may either be polished or decorated once applied, or the preformed nail may include color and/or other decoration prior to application. For the purposes of this disclosure, the term “preformed artificial nail” shall mean an artificial nail that is molded, by injection molding or other method of fabrication, into a complete, discrete nail that may then be secured to the user's natural nail, rather than a nail that is formed directly on the user's nail, as with the acrylics described above.
• Preformed artificial nails are provided in a variety of lengths to extend the free edge of the user's nail from a relatively short, sportier amount to relatively long, glamorous lengths. Moreover, the free edge of such artificial nails is provided in a variety of shapes to meet the user's preference as to how one might file one's own nails.
• Preformed artificial nails are traditionally supplied in either a full nail form or a nail tip form. As indicated by the name, full nails simulate a complete nail, including nail bed and free edge and are adhered thereto, covering the entire nail, including the nail bed and free edge of the nail. The proximate edge is shaped to be disposed substantially adjacent or abut against the cuticle of the finger. In contrast, nail tips do not simulate the complete nail, but, rather, only the free edge and, typically, a small extended portion to cover only a portion of the nail bed in order to facilitate attachment to the nail. In use, nail tips are secured to the edge of the nail bed adjacent the free edge and the tip only.
• The distal free edge may have any of various lengths and shapes, such as oval, square, or flared, depending upon the desired look. Additionally, to further simulate a natural fingernail, the artificial nail is typically formed with a curvature between a first side edge and a second side and a curvature between the proximate and distal edges. Preferably, the artificial nail is sufficiently durable and rigid to withstand the hazards inherent in its use.
• Manufacturers typically provide users with a range of nail sizes, e.g., identified by size numbers 0-9, to accommodate most nail sizes. Generally, artificial nails are packaged together in sets including a range of different sizes so that the purchaser receives different artificial nails for their different fingers, which will most closely approximate the natural nail sizes. In addition to the set of different sized artificial nails, the package may also include liquid adhesive and/or peel-off adhesive pads for bonding the artificial nails to the purchaser's natural fingernails.
• In placement of the artificial nail on a user's natural nail, the adhesive is typically applied either directly to the user's natural nail bed or to the nail bed portion of the artificial nail. The artificial nail is then placed on the user's natural nail bed with the proximal end of the artificial nail disposed at or near the user's cuticle, and pressure applied to ensure the desired adhesion of the artificial nail to the user's natural nail. When the pressure is applied, excess amounts of glue or adhesive may be squeezed from under the artificial nail and onto the outside surface of the artificial nail or onto the user's finger. The excess amounts of glue or adhesive squeezed from under the artificial nail may negatively impact the overall cosmetic appearance of the artificial nail, as well as the user's comfort.
• Quality of the bond between the artificial nail and the natural nail may affect the integrity of the attachment to the nail, the comfort to the wearer, and the aesthetic appeal of the nail when secured to the natural nail. The best bond, however, is obtained from a thin layer of adhesive between adjacently disposed artificial and natural nail surfaces. A greater amount of adhesive may result in the formation of air pockets within the volume of adhesive, weakening the bond. Consequently, the use of a greater amount of adhesive may actually result in a less durable bond between the artificial and natural nails, and shorten wear time. Therefore, a controlled flow of glue or adhesive during the nail application process will facilitate the creation of an optimal layer of adhesive between the artificial and natural nail surfaces and will create a more durable bond. Furthermore, a controlled flow of adhesive will also prolong the wear time and result in increased user comfort and enhanced aesthetic appeal.
• Brush applicators selectively located inside the adhesive container have been used to apply the adhesive to the user's natural nail bed or to the nail bed portion of the artificial nail in a manner similar to the application of nail polish. Such applicators make it difficult to control the amount of adhesive on the applicator, however, and, therefore, make it difficult to ensure an optimal layer of adhesive between the artificial and natural nail surfaces because the user must dip the brush applicator into the adhesive dispenser. Hence, the amount of adhesive on such an applicator may depend on the amount of adhesive in the dispenser, as well as on the insertion depth and on the amount of time the applicator was held inside the dispenser. For example, a brush inserted completely into the adhesive will typically contain more adhesive than the same brush if only the brush tip in inserted into the adhesive. Similarly, if the entire brush, as well as a portion of the shaft from which the brush extends is inserted into the adhesive, even more adhesive will be retained on and flow down toward the applicator brush. While a user may attempt to modify the amount of adhesive carried by the brush by wiping the brush or the shaft from which the brush extends along the edge of the bottle, it is difficult to develop the skill to control adhesive application when the casual user typically only applies a set of ten nails on an occasional basis. Moreover, the reinsertion of the brush into the adhesive dispenser after application to the nail surface increases the risk of contamination of the adhesive contained therein.
• Drop bottle adhesive dispensers have similar shortcomings. Drop dispensers similarly do not provide the user sufficient control over the amount of nail adhesive applied between the user's natural nail and a nail bed portion of a preformed artificial nail. Further, such drop dispensers limit the user's ability to evenly distribute the adhesive over the entire nail surface.
• Furthermore, reusable nail adhesive dispensers provide an inherently unstable packaging system. Inasmuch as such dispensers are typically inexpensively formed containers, the adhesive eventually dries out after the initial seal has been broken.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The invention provides a kit comprising a plurality of preformed artificial nails or nail tips (collectively referred to as “preformed artificial nails” in the specification and in the claims), and/or acrylic nail forming materials, and a dispenser that includes a container containing adhesive, an acrylic liquid, or a gel forming liquid, the kit further comprising a brush assembly adapted to protrude from the container, the brush assembly comprising a base portion and a brush protruding from the base portion. The kit further comprises a seal for sealing the fluid in the container. The brush assembly comprises at least one opening through the base and proximate to the brush, although it may include a plurality of such openings. When the brush assembly is coupled to the container and the seal is disturbed, the fluid flows from the container through the at least one opening and along the brush to allow the user to efficiently and accurately apply fluid to the nail or other product. The kit further comprises a package for housing the artificial nails and the dispenser. The kit may also comprise other materials, such as a roughening surface, like an emery board for roughening the surface of the natural nail, a towelette, an application tool, acrylic powder, acrylic liquid, gel overly, gel activator, or a grooming stick, such a rosewood stick. The kit may alternately or additionally comprise acrylic powder or gel-forming powder and gel activator, and one or more nail forms.
• The container and the brush assembly are preferably provided as separate structures, the container being sealed when provided to the user. The user then opens the container and couples the brush assembly through a coupling structure to the container, with the brush extending outward from the container to allow the flow of fluid. The container may be sealed by any appropriate structure, such as a removable or puncturable seal or film, or it may be sealed by a removable cap or the like. An opening into the container may be provided either by removing the cap or other covering, or by puncturing the container, i.e., the seal, film, or other portion of the container. Such a puncture may be provided by a separate protrusion or a protrusion that is integral to the coupling structure or to the brush assembly itself. The brush assembly preferably comprises an applicator cap with a protrusion along the inside of the cap itself, extending in a generally axial direction along the inside of the cap. In this way, the protrusion punctures the dispenser upon coupling of the applicator cap thereto to allow the fluid to flow through the at least one opening in the brush assembly and across the brush.
• The dispenser further comprises a coupling structure for coupling the brush assembly to the container. At least one of the container and the applicator cap may comprise the coupling structure, or the kit may comprise a separate coupling structure for coupling the brush assembly to the container. In one embodiment, a separate coupling structure comprises a protrusion adapted to puncture the seal upon coupling to the container.
• These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following summary and detailed description and upon reference to the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of a preformed artificial nail kit constructed in accordance with teachings of the invention.
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a container and the applicator cap constructed in accordance with teachings of the invention.
• FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the container ofFIG. 2 showing the puncturable covering and a broken-away perspective view from the bottom of the applicator cap ofFIG. 2.
• FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of the applicator cap showing a plurality of openings.
• FIGS. 5-7 are fragmentary top plan views of embodiments of applicator caps constructed in accordance with teachings of the invention and having the bristles removed.
• FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a container constructed according to teachings of the invention.
• FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a container constructed according to teachings of the invention.
• FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a container constructed according to teachings of the invention.
• FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a container and brush assembly constructed according to teachings of the invention.
• FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a protrusion for puncturing the puncturable covering of the container constructed in accordance with teachings of the invention.
• FIG. 13 is perspective view of an external coupling structure and a perspective view of an alternate applicator cap, both broken away.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• Turning now to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers refer to like elements, there is illustrated inFIG. 1 anail kit18 comprising apackage20 containing a plurality of preformedartificial nails22. Eachartificial nail22 includes a nail body having a generally convex upper surface and a generally concave lower surface. Eachnail22 further comprises aproximal end30, adapted to be placed generally adjacent the user's cuticle, and adistal end32 that is generally disposed at or beyond the end of the user's natural nail when properly placed. The areas between the proximal and distal ends30,32 of theartificial nail22 generally define thenail bed portion34 and thefree edge36, thenail bed portion34 being adapted to be placed adjacent the user's natural nail bed and thefree edge portion36 being adapted to extend beyond the end of the user's finger.
• Thenail kit package20 typically includes anouter covering40, here in the form of a box, having at least onetransparent portion41 for viewing the contents of thepackage20. Thepackage20 generally further includes aninner support housing42 that generally retains the contents of thepackage20 in position within thepackage20. Theinner support housing42 is typically formed of a polymeric material, often transparent, although such an inner support housing, when included could alternately be of any appropriate material, including, for example, cardstock or cardboard. Theinner support housing42 generally includes a plurality of recessedareas44,46,47, and additional contents of thepackage20 may be retained in a rearopen portion48 of theinner support housing42. In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of such recessedareas44 display a plurality of preformedartificial nails22 in a plan view, while the recessedareas46 and47 retain the components of afluid dispenser50 for applying the fluid to a preformedartificial nail22 or a natural nail during an artificial nail application process. The fluid may be any appropriate adhesive, such as, for example, cyanoacrylate, or an acrylic fluid or gel utilized in the formation of acrylic or gel nails. While thepackage20 has be described in connection with the exemplary embodiment illustrated, it will be appreciated that thepackage20 may be of any appropriate design that serves to contain the contents of thenail kit18.
• In accordance with the invention, thepackage20 includes a generallysingle use dispenser50 that provides for easy application of fluid to the nail, powder, or other element. More specifically, as shown inFIG. 2, thedispenser50 comprises acontainer61, which defines a chamber that contains the fluid, and abrush54 that extends outward relative to thecontainer61, and over which the fluid flows from thecontainer61 for application of the same to the nail, powder, or other substance. As shown in the various embodiments illustrated inFIG. 2 and inFIGS. 4-7, thebrush54 is preferably provided as part of anapplicator cap52, thebrush54 protruding from the cap. While thebristles80 of thebrush54 are illustrated inFIG. 4 as a plurality ofsingle bristles80 for illustrative simplicity, it will be appreciated that thebrush54 may include a plurality ofbristles80 where the single bristles80 are illustrated. To allow the flow of fluid past and/or along thebrush54, thebase84 of thebrush54, here, in theapplicator cap52, is provided with at least oneopening56,82 proximate to thebrush54. In this embodiment, thebrush54 is disposed at the end of a hollowelongated cap portion94, opening92 being disposed at the end of theelongated cap portion94 opposite the brush54 (seeFIGS. 2, 3). In this way, upon properly coupling thecontainer61 and thebrush54, the at least oneopening56,82 allows the fluid57 to flow across thebrush54 extending outward relative to thecontainer61.
• The at least oneopening56,82 may be provided at any appropriate location so long as such opening(s) provide adequate flow along at least a portion of thebristles80 of thebrush54. By way of example only, various possible locations and numbers ofsuch openings56,82 are illustrated inFIGS. 5-7, which depict top plan views of thebrush54 with thebristles80 removed for clarity.FIG. 5 illustrates the embodiment shown inFIG. 4, that is, wherein anopening82 is provided generally in the center of thesurface84, i.e., in the middle of thebristles80 of thebrush54, with a plurality ofopenings56 generally of like size disposed about the outer perimeter of thebristles80. (For ease of understanding, the elements inFIGS. 6 and 7 are identified by the same reference numbers along with a letter designator.) In order to allow greater flow outward through the center of thebrush54a, as shown inFIG. 6, the opening82athrough the center ofsurface84amay be of different diameter from theopenings56aon the outside perimeter, or asingle opening82bmay be provided in the center portion of thebrush54b, as shown inFIG. 7. It will thus be appreciated that theseopenings56,82,92 andbrush54 configurations are provided by way of example only, and alternate configurations are within the scope of the invention.
• Referring again toFIGS. 2 and 3, it will be appreciated that thecontainer61 may be of any appropriate design and formed of any appropriate material. In the illustrated design, thecontainer61 is in the form of an elongated tube having a crimped or rolled end with the dispensing end, ortop portion59, opposite. Thecontainer61 may be collapsible and, for example, be formed of a flexible material, such as aluminum. Use of aluminum incontainer61 creates a stable package, which will keep the fluid57 fresh until the user desires to use thedispenser50. The user may discard thedispenser50 after the first use if thedispenser50 is a single use type dispenser. Alternatively, a resealable covering may be provided for future use ofdispenser50. In the case of areusable dispenser50, for example, thekit18 may include a cap to seal thecontainer61 when thebrush54 is removed;multiple brushes54 may be provided, or thebrush54 may be cleaned or inverted for storage in thecontainer61.
• In order to couple thecontainer61 to thebrush54, thetop portion59 of thecontainer61 may comprise acollar51 or other coupling structure, as will be explained in more detail below. To facilitate dispensing of the fluid from thecontainer61, the dispensing end, ortop portion59, further comprises adispenser opening58 through which the fluid may be expelled.
• In order to maintain the fluid in a fresh condition until use, thecontainer61 is provided to the user in a sealed condition. The dispensingend59 of thecontainer61 may be maintained in a sealed condition by any appropriate structure. For example, thetop portion59 may include aremovable cap60c, removable covering in the form of a disc orfilm60a,60b, or a puncturable covering60 in the form of a film or the like (seeFIGS. 8-11 and2-3). Thecontainer61 may be opened by either removing or puncturing the covering60 to permit the flow offluid57 through thedispenser opening58.
• The covering may be sealed to thecontainer61, or otherwise coupled in a sealing relationship with thecontainer61. In the case of a removable covering, by way of example only, the covering may be in the form of a removable film ordisc60a(seeFIG. 8) and60d(seeFIG. 11), a detachable orseverable covering60b(seeFIG. 9), or aremovable lid60c(seeFIG. 10), as will be understood by those of skill in the art. For example, the covering60a,60bmay be sealed to thecontainer61 and include a pull strip or separator86 (seeFIG. 9) which may be pulled to sever the covering from thecontainer61b, or a ridge orprotrusion88 which allows theseal60ato be pried from thecontainer61a. In an alternate example, a covering60din the form of a disc or the like may be held to thecontainer61dby acoupling collar90. In use, thecoupling collar90 may be removed, the disc covering60dremoved. Thecoupling collar90 may then be utilized to couple abrush54dto thecontainer61d. In arrangements wherein the covering is removed, detached, or severed, a brush may be coupled to the container by way of alid52c, as shown, for example inFIG. 10.
• In the case of apuncturable covering60, the covering may be affirmatively punctured with aprobe62,62a,66 or the like. Theprobe62,62a,66 may be provided as aseparate structure62a(seeFIG. 12), or as part of thebrush54, the applicator cap52 (seeFIG. 3), or a separate coupling structure64 (seeFIG. 13). It will thus be appreciated that the covering60 seals theopening58 to prevent the flow offluid57 when the covering60 is intact and to permit the flow offluid57 throughdispenser opening58 when the covering60 is punctured or otherwise removed.
• As shown inFIG. 3, in a currently preferred embodiment, theapplicator cap52 automatically punctures the covering60 as theapplicator cap52 is coupled to thecontainer61. In order to allow such puncturing, theapplicator cap52 includes aprotrusion62 that extends generally axially from the inside of thecap52. In this embodiment, theprotrusion62 may be of any suitable shape, size, and location, so long as it is adapted to puncture the puncturable covering60 upon coupling of theapplicator cap52 to thecontainer61 and allow passage of the fluid into thecap52. By way of example only, theprotrusion62 illustrated has a generally arcuate shape, and is disposed about theopening92 in the cap52 (seeFIG. 3). It will be appreciated, however, that theprotrusion62 may alternately have a linear shape, or comprise a mere shaft or the like, so long as the protrusion adequately punctures the puncturable covering60 as thecap52 is coupled to thecontainer61, here by axially advancing thecap52 onto thecontainer61. Once the covering60 is punctured, the fluid57 may flow through theopening58 in thecontainer61, through theopening92 in thecap52, through the one ormore openings56,82 and across thebrush54.
• Thebrush54 may be coupled to thecontainer61 by any appropriate coupling structure or arrangement. Thus, thebrush54 may be part of thecap52 that couples directly to thecontainer61, or thebrush54dmay be a separate structure that, in conjunction with acollar90 or the like, effectively forms acap52a(see, e.g.,FIG. 11). In the embodiment ofFIGS. 2-3, thebrush54 is a part of theapplicator cap52, and thecollar51 of thecontainer61 and thecap52 each containmating threads53,55. In this way, theapplicator cap52 may be screwed onto thecontainer61, puncturing the puncturable covering60 on thecontainer61. Those of skill in the art will appreciate, however, that the coupling structure may be other than as illustrated. For example, there may be a snap fit between the components, an interference or friction fit, or any other appropriate coupling structure. Thus, at least one of thecollar51 ofcontainer61 and theapplicator cap52 may comprise a coupling structure to directly couple thecontainer61 ofdispenser50 toapplicator cap52.
• In other embodiments, shown inFIGS. 11 and 13, thebrush54d,67 may be coupled to thecontainer61d,61 by means of a separate or interveningcoupling structure90,64 that includes an internal passage therethrough. Thebrush54d,67 may be coupled to thecoupling structure90,64 by any appropriate arrangement. For example, as shown inFIG. 11, thecoupling structure90 may include a bore through which thebrush54dextends, the bore being slightly smaller than at least aportion52aof thebrush54dstructure, such that an interference occurs. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 13, theseparate coupling structure64 includes two sets ofthreads65,69 to threadably couple thecoupling structure64 to thecollar51 ofcontainer61 and tothreads71 of thebrush67, respectively. It should be understood that other types of couplings may be used, such as, by way of example only, friction, snap fit, or interference coupling. As with the embodiment ofFIGS. 2 and 3, theseparate coupling structure64 may likewise comprise aprotrusion66 which is adapted to puncture the puncturable covering60 of thecontainer61 upon coupling of thecoupling structure64 to thecontainer61. Similarly, thebrush67 may include a protrusion that extends at least partially through thecoupling structure64 to puncture thecovering60. Alternately, a separate structure may be provided to puncture the covering60, or, where such covering is otherwise removable, no such protrusion need be provided.
• In summary, the user is provided with a sealedcontainer61 containing fluid, and abrush54. The user then unseals thecontainer61, and couples thebrush54 to thecontainer61 such that the fluid is permitted to flow from thecontainer61 through and/or along thebrush54 to dispense the fluid. In alternate embodiments, thecontainer61 may be unsealed as thebrush54 is coupled to thecontainer61, as by causing a puncturing of a puncturable covering60 on thecontainer61. Alternately, the container may be separately unsealed, as, for example, by removing thecovering60. In use, the fluid57 flows through the at least oneopening56,82, and through thebrush54 so that the fluid57 may be applied between thenail bed portion34 of anartificial nail22 and the user's natural nail.
• It will be appreciated that the preformed artificial nails utilized in thenail kit18 may be of any appropriate design, and may include full nails, and/or nail tips. Moreover, the nail kit may include additional items, such as, by way of example only, a roughening oremery type surface68 for buffing the natural nail prior to placement of the artificial nail, a towelette including an acetone or other substance to clean the nail prior to placement, arosewood stick70, an application tool for assistance during installation of the artificial nail onto the natural nail surface (such a tool is disclosed, for example, inU.S. Provisional Application 60/634068), acrylic powder, acrylic liquid, gel overly, and/or gel activator.
• While this invention has been described with an emphasis upon preferred embodiments, variations of the preferred embodiments can be used, and it is intended that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.
• All of the references cited herein, including patents, patent applications, and publications, are hereby incorporated in their entireties by reference.

Claims (15)

1. A kit of preformed artificial nails comprising:

a package containing

a plurality of artificial nails and/or tips;

a dispenser comprising

a container containing a fluid;

a seal sealing said fluid in said container, said container adapted to permit the flow of said fluid from said container when the seal is disturbed;

a brush assembly comprising a base portion and a brush protruding therefrom, said base portion comprising at least one opening therethrough proximate to the brush, and

a coupling structure for coupling the brush assembly to the container with the brush extending outward from the container,

whereby fluid from said container flows from said container through said at least one opening and along the brush when the brush is coupled to the container with the brush extending outward from the container and the seal is disturbed.

2. The kit ofclaim 1 wherein the fluid comprises at least one of an adhesive, an acrylic fluid, a gel forming fluid, a gel activator.

3. The kit ofclaim 1 wherein the seal comprises a removable covering.

4. The kit ofclaim 3 wherein the removable covering comprises at least one of the following: a cap, a tearaway seal, a film, a disc covering, a pryable covering, a severable covering.

5. The kit ofclaim 1 wherein the container comprises a container opening, and the seal comprises a puncturable covering sealing the container opening, said covering preventing flow of said fluid through the container opening when intact, and permitting the flow of said fluid when punctured.

6. The kit ofclaim 5 further comprising a protrusion, said protrusion being adapted to puncture said covering.

7. The kit ofclaim 6 wherein at least one of the brush assembly and the coupling structure comprises said protrusion, said protrusion being adapted to puncture the covering upon coupling of the brush assembly to the container to allow the adhesive to flow through the at least one opening and across the brush.

8. The kit ofclaim 1 wherein said coupling structure comprises at least one of the following: a separate coupling structure, threads, an interference fit, a snap-fit, friction fit, interlocks.

9. The kit ofclaim 1 wherein the dispenser is a single use dispenser.

10. The kit ofclaim 1 further comprising at least one of the following: a roughening surface, a stick, a towelette, an application tool, acrylic powder, acrylic liquid, gel overly, gel activator.

11. A dispenser for dispensing adhesive in connection with application of artificial nails, said dispenser comprising a container containing said adhesive and comprising a collar, a container opening proximate the collar, and a puncturable covering sealing the container opening, said covering adapted to prevent the flow of said adhesive through the container opening when intact and to permit the flow of said adhesive through the container opening when the covering is punctured, the dispenser further comprising a brush assembly, said brush assembly comprising a base, a brush protruding from the base, and at least one opening through the base proximate to the brush, said brush assembly being adapted to be coupled to the collar, said dispenser further comprising a coupling structure for coupling the brush assembly to the collar with the brush extending outward from the container whereby the adhesive contained within the container flows outward from the container through the at least one opening and across the brush when the brush assembly is coupled to the container with the brush extending outward from the container and the puncturable covering is punctured.

12. The dispenser ofclaim 11 further comprising a protrusion.

13. The dispenser ofclaim 12 further comprising an applicator cap, said applicator cap comprising said brush assembly and said protrusion, said protrusion being adapted to puncture the puncturable covering upon coupling of the applicator cap to the dispenser through the coupling structure to allow the adhesive to flow through the at least one opening.

14. The dispenser ofclaim 11 wherein said coupling structure comprises at least one of the following: a separate coupling structure, threads, an interference fit, a snap-fit, a friction fit, interlocks.

15. The dispenser ofclaim 11 wherein the dispenser is flexible.

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