Changing colors in fashion accessories

Abstract

Fashion accessories having at least one see-through area and a plurality of colored and non-colored objects adapted to be seen behind said see-through area. The objects may be painted by nail polish, to a desired color and may be repainted by removing the previous color using a nail polish remover. The accessories may be used for promoting sales of nail polish.

Description

[0001] Priority is herewith claimed under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) from copending Provisional Patent Application 60/339,600 filed Dec. 11, 2001, and is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention deals with fashion accessories and more specifically with fashion accessories that may be color-adapted.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Fashion accessories enhance the wardrobe of men and women. Such accessories include: jewelry, purses, belts, shoes, clothing articles and others.

[0004] The design of fashion accessories is based on local customs, on contemporary trends or on the conventions through different periods in history.

[0005] The field of fashion accessories is very broad and engages first-rate designers, including: clothing, jewelry and product designers, architects, and others.

[0006] The use of colors dominates the fashion accessory design field. The scope of employing colors is infinite. Fashion accessories are created in colors determined by the manufacturers, and the customers decide to buy these items according to their design and color. Colors are suited to the clothing, the occasion and the taste of the users and the designers.

[0007] Japanese published Patent Application No. 2000116419 describes changing the color of an accessory by applying cosmetic colors such as lipstick and nail polish to a predefined area on the surface of the accessory. The area forms an inseparable part of the accessory and therefore has to be repainted each time a color change is desired.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 6,295,995 to Ewaka describes permanently covered rigid or semi-rigid mounting pieces of varying colors, patterns and texture, that may be attached to personal accessories such as hair clasps, handbag latches etc. The mounting pieces are pre-fabricated and pre-colored.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 6,339,848 to Mayhood provides a readily installed and rapidly detachable flexible sleeve for belts, to facilitate covering the entire front of the belt with a variety of materials having different colors, textures and designs.

[0010] There is a need for providing the ability to change the color of an accessory to a desired color, so that the desired color may be chosen from a collection of previously colored objects, or newly painted ones.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The present invention provides color adaptable fashion accessories and a method of adapting the color of these accessories to a desired color.

[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a color adaptable fashion accessory, comprising:

[0013] a body comprising at least one see-through area; and

[0014] a plurality of colored and non-colored objects adapted to be seen when placed behind said see-through area, said objects additionally adapted to be painted with a desired color.

[0015] According to one embodiment of this aspect, the body comprises:

[0016] a base;

[0017] a cover connected with said base and adapted to fit the shape of said base, said cover comprising said at least one see-through area, wherein said plurality of colored objects are adapted to fit the shape of said base.

[0018] The base and/or cover may be made of metal or plastic material.

[0019] The colored objects may be made of plastic material.

[0020] According to a second embodiment of this aspect, the at least one see-through area comprises at least one transparent pocket attached to the surface of said body, and the plurality of colored objects are adapted to fit the shape of said at least one transparent pocket.

[0021] The body may be made of fabric.

[0022] The colored objects are made of plastic material.

[0023] According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of changing the color of a fashion accessory, said method comprising the steps of:

[0024] providing a fashion accessory having a body, said body comprising at least one see-through area;

[0025] providing a plurality of colored and non-colored objects;

[0026] selecting one of said objects according to a desired color, wherein said step of selecting comprises painting said object with said desired color; and

[0027] placing said selected object behind said see-through area.

[0028] According to one embodiment of this aspect, the body comprises a base and a cover, said cover connected with said base and adapted to fit the shape of said base, said cover comprising said at least one see-through area, wherein said plurality of colored objects are adapted to fit the shape of said base.

[0029] According to another embodiment of this aspect, the at least one see-through area comprises at least one transparent pocket attached to the surface of said body, and the plurality of colored objects are adapted to fit the shape of said at least one transparent pocket.

[0030] The step of painting may comprise painting said object with nail polish.

[0031] The step of painting may additionally comprise a step of removing existing color from said selected object prior to said step of painting, preferably with nail polish remover.

[0032] In a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of promoting sales of nail polish, comprising the steps of:

[0033] providing at least one color adaptable fashion accessory comprising a body with at least one see-through area and a plurality of colored and non-colored objects adapted to be seen when placed behind said see-through area, said objects additionally adapted to be painted with a desired color.; and

[0034] offering said at least one color adaptable fashion accessories upon purchase of a predetermined number of nail polish bottles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a ring, constructed according to the present invention;

[0036] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a brooch, constructed according to the present invention; and

[0037] FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a handbag, constructed according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERED EMBODIMENTS

[0038] It is an object of the present invention to enable the creation of a new type of fashion accessories. These fashion accessories have parts that may be replaced, thus altering their color.

[0039] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a tool for enhancing finger nail polish sales.

[0040] The user may change the color of the replaceable part, allowing him/her to attain a different desired color, based on their wish to wear an accessory of this color or match it to a clothing item. This way, the customer may purchase one fashion accessory and adapt its colors, anytime they wish, to different colored clothes. For example, a woman may buy a ring with a background color that may be changed so that she can wear it with different colored clothes or nail polish and feel that she has a variety of rings in diverse colors.

[0041] The colors are chosen and tailored by the customers—in contrast to some of the fashion accessories currently available, such as watches, in which the manufacturer supplies a limited number of exchangeable readymade colored parts for the fashion accessory according to his decision.

[0042] The process of changing the colors is “user friendly”.

[0043] Technical Description

[0044] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the replaceable part is a plastic plate, designed as an integral part of the fashion accessory. The accessory is sold with several non-colored plastic plates that may be painted with nail polish or another type of paint. The plastic plates may be inserted into the fashion accessory so that their color is prominent and serves as background or as added color to the accessory.

[0045] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a ring 10, constructed according to the present invention. The ring 10 is made of metal such as gold or silver, plastic, or any other material known in the art for manufacturing rings. Ring 10 comprises an annular part 12, a body and a replaceable plate 20. The body comprises a cover 22 and a base 24, shaped as a box to prevent the replaceable part 20 from falling out. Cover 22 and base 24 are connected on one side by a hinge 16 and have a lock 18 on the opposite side. Alternatively, cover 22 and base 24 may be connected by any other means of connection known in the art that enables inserting and securing a body of predefined shape and size therebetween. Cover 22 comprises a window 21, imparting the special design of the ring and serving as cover for replaceable part 20 showing through it. Window 21 may be hollow, or comprising a transparent material.

[0046] The colored replaceable part 20 may be a flat object, or an object of any other spatial geometry, according to the shape and size of the ring. The shape of replaceable part 20 is preferably adapted to the shape of base 24.

[0047] It will be appreciated that the ring 10 only serves as an example. Alternatively any other piece of jewelry, such as a pendant, a brooch or a hair ornament may be used.

[0048] Replaceable part 20 is preferably constructed of a plastic material, but may alternatively be made of metal, fabric or any other substrate that may be painted.

[0049] Hinge 16 and lock 18 serve to allow for opening the ring 10 in order to replace the replaceable part 20 with any one of existing colored parts 20A, 20B and 20C, or with a non-colored part 20D. When part 20 has been replaced, lock 18 is locked, thus preventing the replaced part from slipping out.

[0050] When a non-colored part 20D is chosen, it is preferably painted, before insertion into the ring, with nail polish. Other types of painting material are also in the scope of the present invention. When using nail polish, the color of the ring may be matched to the color of the nails. The paint used for painting the non-colored part 20D is preferably soluble by some known agent. In case of nail polish, any type of nail polish remover known in the art is suitable as a solvent. The paint is preferably impervious to water, to allow for comfortable use in rings. Nail polish is a particularly suitable type of color for this purpose, since it is produced in a large variety of hues and types, has a shine suitable for jewelry and can be renewed (repainted) or changed (removed with nail polish remover) and is waterproof.

[0051] It will be appreciated that replaceable part 20 may be painted many times, matching the color to the current nail polish or garment, and subsequently removing the color and re-painting.

[0052] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of another embodiment of the present invention. Brooch 30 comprises a body and a replaceable part 32. The body comprises a cover 34 and a base 36. Brooch 30 additionally comprises a hinge 38 on one side and a lock 42 on the opposite side. A clip 40 serves as a means for attaching the brooch 30 to a garment, a purse, or any other article. Alternatively, any other means of attaching a brooch, such as a safety pin, may be used.

[0053] FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of yet another embodiment of the present invention. Purse or handbag 50 comprises a body 58 and a handle 56. Body 58 has a transparent pocket 52, allowing for inserting replaceable parts 54 of different colors. It will be appreciated that a plurality of pockets 52 are in the scope of the present invention. Similar pockets may be placed on other articles such as belts, shoes and others.

[0054] It will be appreciated that the description hereinabove and the accompanying drawings only serve as examples for the present invention. The invention lends itself to many variations, including but not limited to:

[0055] 1. Any article according to the present invention may comprise more than one opening (or window) through which the color of the replaceable part is seen.

[0056] 2. Each one of the plurality of windows may hold a plate of a different color.

[0057] In a commercial aspect, the present invention may provide a tool for enhancing sales of nail polish. In a preferred embodiment, a jewel and a plurality of replaceable non-colored and or colored parts may be offered when a predefined quantity of nail polish containers are purchased.

Claims

1. Color adaptable fashion accessory, comprising:

a body comprising at least one see-through area; and

a plurality of colored and non-colored objects adapted to be seen when placed behind said see-through area, said objects additionally adapted to be painted with a desired color.

2. The fashion accessory of claim 1, wherein said body comprises:

a base; and

a cover connected with said base and adapted to fit the shape of said base,

said cover comprising said at least one see-through area,

wherein said plurality of colored objects are adapted to fit the shape of said base.

3. The fashion accessory of claim 2 wherein at least one of said base and said cover is made of metal.

4. The fashion accessory of claim 2 wherein at least one of said base and said cover is made of plastic material.

5. The fashion accessory of claim 2 wherein said colored objects are made of plastic material.

6. The fashion accessory of claim 1, wherein said at least one see-through area comprises at least one transparent pocket attached to the surface of said body, and wherein said plurality of colored objects are adapted to fit the shape of said at least one transparent pocket.

7. The fashion accessory of claim 6 wherein said body is made of fabric.

8. The fashion accessory of claim 6 wherein said colored objects are made of plastic material.

9. A method of changing the color of a fashion accessory, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a fashion accessory having a body, said body comprising at least one see-through area;

providing a plurality of colored and non-colored objects;

selecting one of said objects according to a desired color, wherein said step of selecting comprises painting said object with said desired color; and

placing said selected object behind said see-through area.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said body comprises a base and a cover, said cover connected with said base and adapted to fit the shape of said base, said cover comprising said at least one see-through area, wherein said plurality of colored objects are adapted to fit the shape of said base.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein said at least one see-through area comprises at least one transparent pocket attached to the surface of said body, and wherein said plurality of colored objects are adapted to fit the shape of said at least one transparent pocket.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein said step of painting comprises painting said object with nail polish.

13. The method of claim 12, additionally comprising the step of removing existing color from said selected object prior to said step of painting.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein said step of removing comprises removing said nail polish with a nail-polish remover.

15. A method of promoting sales of nail polish, comprising the steps of:

providing at least one color adaptable fashion accessory according to claim 1; and

offering said at least one color adaptable fashion accessories upon purchase of a predetermined number of nail polish bottles.