Nail polish bottle display device

Abstract

An improved nail polish bottle display device is provided that enhances the ability of consumers to view the contents of nail polish bottles, allows for varying decorative arrangements of bottles during display, and aids in maintaining a mixture of the contents of nail polish bottles during storage and display. The improved nail polish bottle display device includes a support member and a display member projecting from the support member. The display member includes at least one aperture that is recessed with a first diameter in a top surface of the display member and a second reduced diameter offset from the first diameter. The aperture is configured to seat and position an upwardly positioned nail polish bottle. The aperture may also provide for inverted positioning of a nail polish bottle.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a nail polish bottle display device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fingernail polish comes in many different colors and shades. In order to aid a consumer, nail polish bottles are often displayed on vertical racks, showing an array of colors from which the consumer may choose. These racks generally provide for upright positioning of the bottle. Due to the structure of the conventional nail polish bottle, a consumer's view of the color of the bottle contents in the body of the bottle may be obscured by the head and neck portion of a bottle. It would be a benefit, therefore, to have a bottle display device that would allow for upside down storage of a nail polish bottle, so that the head and neck portion of a conventional bottle would be hidden from consumer view, allowing for better viewing of the bottle contents contained within the body of the bottle. In addition, storage racks allowing for only upright positioning of nail polish bottles are not aesthetically pleasing to the consumer and do not draw the consumer's attention as a display device by allowing for varying decorative arrangements of bottles. Finally, nail polish must be sufficiently mixed before application to a consumer's nails. Mixture may be enhanced by alternating between upright and inverted storage of a nail polish bottle. For all of these reasons, it would be a benefit to have a nail polish bottle display device that would allow for inverted positioning of a nail polish bottle, but would also allow for upright positioning of a nail polish bottle.

Therefore, it is desirable to provide a nail polish bottle display device configured for inverted positioning of nail polish bottles during storage. Inverted positioning of nail polish bottles may aid in the display of the bottle contents in the body of the bottle, without obstruction by the head and neck portion of the bottle. Furthermore, it is desirable to provide a nail polish bottle display device that allows for upright positioning of nail polish bottles during storage, in addition to inverted positioning, so that countless number of decorative bottle arrangements may be created in order to provide a more aesthetically pleasing nail polish bottle display device. In addition to improving the decorative display aspect of the inventive device, allowing for both upright and inverted positioning of nail polish bottles during storage may also be desirable to assist in maintaining the mixture of the contents of nail polish bottles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a nail polish bottle display device. The nail polish bottle display device includes a support member and a display member projecting from the support member. The display member includes at least one aperture that is recessed with a first diameter in a top surface of the display member and a second reduced diameter offset from the first diameter. The aperture may be configured to seat and position an upwardly positioned nail polish bottle.

A nail polish bottle display device in accordance with the present invention is advantageous as compared to existing nail polish bottle display devices. First, the inventive display device has the benefit of allowing for inverted positioning of nail polish bottles so that the display device provides a view of the contents of a nail polish bottle contained within the body of the bottle unobstructed by the head and neck portion of a conventional bottle. Second, an embodiment providing for the display of multiple nail polish bottles has the benefit of allowing for arrangement of nail polish bottles in an array where each row of nail polish bottles is progressively higher than the row in front of it, providing an unobstructed view of each row. Third, the inventive display device has the benefit of allowing for upright positioning of nail polish bottles in addition to inverted positioning, so that various decorative arrangements of bottles may be created, thereby drawing the consumer's attention to the display device and providing a more aesthetically pleasing display device. Fourth, because the inventive display device provides for both upright and inverted positioning of nail polish bottles, mixture of the contents of the nail polish bottles may be enhanced by alternating between upright and inverted storage of nail polish bottles.

These and other features and objects of this invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings illustrating features of this invention by way of example.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a display device constructed in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention, shown with a nail polish bottle that may be upwardly disposed within the display device.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a display device constructed in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention, shown with a nail polish bottle that may be disposed in an inverted position within the display device.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a side of a first embodiment of a display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a side of a first embodiment of a display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a display device constructed in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention, shown with nail polish bottles that may be disposed within the display device in a desired pattern.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a display device constructed in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention, shown with nail polish bottles that may be disposed within the display device in a desired pattern.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a display device according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals are used to identify identical or similar components in the various views, FIGS. 1 illustrates a first exemplary embodiment of the nail polish bottle display device 10 The display device may be formed of clear acrylic or other plastic material. However, it is to be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the display device may be formed of any number of other materials and still fall within the spirit and scope of the invention. The display device may include a support member 12 and a display member 14. Each member is of a small thickness, such as a few millimeters, but may be made thicker and still fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Support member 12 is provided to support display member 14. As shown in the first exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, support member 12 may be rectangular in shape, including four edges, 16, 18, 20, 22. It should be noted that while only a rectangular support member is discussed in detail, it is provided for exemplary purposes only and is not limiting in nature. Those skilled in the art will recognize that a variety of shapes may exist that remain within the spirit and scope of the invention and provide an adequate support member. It should further be noted that while only a single support member is described in detail, it is provided for exemplary purposes only and is not limiting in nature. Those skilled in the art will recognize that a plurality of support members may be used to support the display surface 14 and remain within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Referring again to FIG. 1, a first exemplary embodiment of the nail polish bottle display device 10 may include a base 24. Base 24 is provided for placement and stabilization of display device 10 on a generally horizontal surface. Base 24 may be rectangular in shape, including four edges 26, 28, 30, 32. It should be noted that while only a rectangular base is discussed in detail, it is provided for exemplary purposes only and is not limiting in nature. Those skilled in the art will recognize that a variety of shapes may exist that remain within the spirit and scope of the invention and provide an adequate base. Support member 12 extends from base 24 at edge 20 and is generally perpendicular to base 24. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that support member 12 may be at an acute or obtuse angle relative to base 24.

Display member 14 is provided for display of at least one nail polish bottle by including at least one aperture 34 therein. Display member 14 may be generally rectangular in shape, including four edges 36, 38, 40, 42. Edge 36 of display member 14 meets an edge 16 of support member 12, opposing edge 20. It should be noted that while only a rectangular display member is discussed in detail, it is provided for exemplary purposes only and is not limiting in nature. Those skilled in the art will recognize that a variety of shapes may exist that remain within the spirit and scope of the invention and provide an adequate display member. Display member 14 may be in a first plane 44, while base 24 is in a second plane 46. Plane 44 of display member 14 may be at an incline relative to plane 46 of base 24. More particularly, plane 44 of display member 14 may be at an acute angle relative to second plane 46 of base 24.

Aperture 34 is provided for both upright and inverted positioning of a nail polish bottle upon display member 14. Aperture 34 is recessed so that aperture 34 may be configured to seat and position an upwardly positioned nail polish bottle 50, as illustrated in FIG. 2. Recessed aperture 34 may include a radially inwardly tapering chamfer 48 with straight edges, or recessed aperture 34 may have a scalloped or curved indentation forming the recess. Aperture 34 may be generally circular in shape as shown in FIG. 1. While only a circular aperture is discussed in detail and illustrated in the drawings, it is provided for exemplary purposes only and is not limiting in nature. Those skilled in the art will recognize that a variety of shapes may exist that remain within the spirit and scope of the invention and provide an adequate aperture shape, such as aperture 34 being generally rectangular in shape. FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a display device constructed in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention, including a nail polish bottle 50 that may be upwardly disposed within aperture 34 of display device 10.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a perspective view of a display device 10 constructed in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention is shown. FIG. 3 also shows a nail polish bottle 50 disposed in an inverted position within aperture 34 of display device 10. Support member 12 is configured in size so as to space said display member 14 from said base 24 to allow a head and neck portion 52 of a nail polish bottle 50 in an inverted position to extend through aperture 34, but not engage base 24.

There are numerous standard size or conventional nail polish bottles. The nail polish bottle display device is dimensioned to display small commercially available nail polish bottles in both upward and inverted positions. Although not an exhaustive list, commercially available nail polish bottles may include nail polish bottles with the following described dimensions: a total bottle height ranging from 2¾″ to 3¾″; a body height ranging from 1⅜″ to 2″; a head and neck height ranging from 1″ to 1¾″; a body diameter ranging from ¾″ to 1½″; and a head and neck diameter ranging from ½″ to ¾″. For example only, the nail polish bottle display device may be dimensioned so as display a nail polish bottle with the following dimensions: a total bottle height of 3 3/16″, a body height of 1⅝″, a head and neck height of 1 9/16″, a body diameter of 1¼″, and a head and neck diameter of ⅝. It should be noted that while these dimensions are listed in detail, those skilled in the art will recognize that any number of commercially available bottles with various dimensions may be displayed on the inventive nail polish bottle display device.

The recessed nature of aperture 34 is provided to allow for both upright and inverted positioning of a nail polish bottle within a single aperture 34. FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional side view of a first embodiment 10 of the present invention Aperture 34 may extend through display member 14 from a top surface 56 to a bottom surface 60. Aperture 34 may include a first diameter 54 in a top surface 56 of display member 14. Aperture 34 may include a second reduced diameter 58 offset from first diameter 54. Reduced diameter 58 may be offset from first diameter 54 in an axial direction, where the axis extends through the center of aperture 34. Recessed aperture 34 may include a radially inwardly tapering chamfer 48. Chamfer 48 may include a top surface 56 of display member 14 and a chamfer wall surface 59 meeting at an angle different from 90 degrees. In particular, top surface 56 and wall surface 59 may meet at an obtuse angle. Wall surface 59 may be generally straight, as illustrated, or may be curved or scalloped. Wall surface 59 may taper from top surface 56 of display member 14 to bottom surface 60 of display member 14 as illustrated in FIG. 4. Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 5, wall surface 59 may taper from top surface 56 of display member 14 to a point disposed between top surface 56 and bottom surface 60 of display member 14, so that aperture 34 maintains a reduced diameter 58 through at least a portion of display member 14, rather than only in bottom surface 60. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, first diameter 54 is greater than second diameter 58. First diameter 54 of aperture 34 is greater than or equal to a diameter 62 of a conventional body 64 of a nail polish bottle 50 to be positioned in aperture 34 and greater than a diameter 66 of a conventional head and neck portion 52 of a nail polish bottle 50 to be positioned in aperture 34. Reduced second diameter 58 of aperture 34 is smaller than a diameter 62 of a conventional body 64 of a nail polish bottle 50 to be positioned in aperture 34 and greater than or equal to a diameter 66 of a conventional head and neck portion 52 of a nail polish bottle 50 to be positioned in aperture 34.

In other embodiments of the inventive nail polish bottle display device, the display device may include a plurality of apertures. In other respects, the additional embodiments described below are substantially similar to the first embodiment 10 described above. The plurality of apertures of the display device may be evenly spaced within the display member. FIG. 6 illustrates a second embodiment of a display device 110 with a plurality of apertures arranged in an array, with a first row 68 of apertures and at least one rearward row 70 of apertures behind first row 68. The array of apertures may be a regular array with straight line rows and columns. An axis defined by the straight line rows may be parallel to a side edge 138 of display member 114, while an axis defined by the straight line columns may be perpendicular to a side edge 138 of display member 114. Referring again to FIG. 6, in a second embodiment of the inventive display device 110, the array of apertures may comprise two rows and two columns, resulting in four total apertures.

As shown in FIG. 7, because plane 144 of display member 114 may be at an incline relative to plane 146 of base 124, and in particular, plane 144 of display member 114 may be at an acute angle relative to second plane 146 of base 124, nail polish bottles disposed within the apertures of display device 110 attain a staggered effect with each row being progressively higher than the row in front of that row. The staggered effect allows the view of the nail polish bottles disposed within rearward row 70 to not be blocked by nail polish bottles disposed within front row 68. Accordingly, all rows in the array may be seen from the front of the display device. Because display device 110 allows for the storage of nail polish bottles in an inverted position, the contents of the nail polish bottles contained within the body 64 of the nail polish bottle 50 may be viewed unobstructed by the head and neck portion 52 of a conventional nail polish bottle 50.

Referring now to FIG. 8, the dual positioning feature of the inventive display device 110 provides for aesthetically pleasing arrangements of nail polish bottles using the inventive display device 110. As shown in FIG. 8, adjacent nail polish bottles may be positioned in alternating upright and inverted positions. For example only, in the second embodiment of the display device 110, there are several possible arrangements. For example, all four nail polish bottles may be inverted in order to best view the bottle contents. As another example, all four nail polish bottles may be upwardly positioned. Other more aesthetically pleasing arrangements are possible, where a first row of nail polish bottles are upwardly positioned and a second row of nail polish bottles are inverted, or vice versa. In another arrangement, as illustrated in FIG. 8, each row may contain alternating upwardly positioned and inverted nail polish bottles. The nail polish bottles in each column may also be in alternate positions, with the nail polish bottle in a rearward row of a column inverted and the nail polish bottle in the forward row of the same column upwardly positioned. Another arrangement may provide for all the nail polish bottles in each column to remain upwardly positioned or remain inverted. Countless arrangements are possible, thereby drawing attention to the display device and enhancing the display feature of the inventive device.

FIG. 9 illustrates a third embodiment of the inventive display device 210 in which the array of apertures may comprise two rows and six columns, resulting in twelve total apertures. FIG. 10 illustrates a fourth embodiment of the inventive display device 310 in which the array of apertures may comprise five rows and six columns, resulting in 30 total apertures. It should be noted that while only these four embodiments of the array are described in detail, they are provided for exemplary purposes only and are not limiting in nature. Those skilled in the art will recognize that any number of apertures may appear in the array of the display device and remain within the spirit and scope of the invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates a fifth embodiment of the inventive display device 410, including support member 412 and display member 414. Inventive display device 410 is substantially similar to display device 10, with the elimination of base 24 and with modifications to support member 412. Support member 412 may be perpendicular to display member 414 and may also be configured for mounting display device 414 to a wall that is generally vertical. Display device 410 also includes a display member 414 with at least one aperture 34 as described in connection with previous embodiments.

In addition, display device 410 may include a second display member 472 projecting from support member 412. Second display member 472 is substantially identical to display member 414, including at least one aperture 34. Support member 412 of display device 410 is configured in size so as to space first display member 414 from second display member 472 to allow a head and neck portion 52 of a conventional nail polish bottle 50 in an inverted position to extend through aperture 34 of first display member 414, but not engage a conventional upwardly positioned nail polish bottle 50 disposed in aperture 34 of second display member 472. Support member 414 is further configured in size so as to space first display member 414 from second display member 472 to allow a head and neck portion 52 of a conventional nail polish bottle 50 in an inverted position to extend through aperture 34 of first display member 414, but not engage a conventional inverted nail polish bottle 50 disposed in aperture 34 of second display member 472. While only two display members 414, 472 are discussed in detail, they are provided for exemplary purposes only and are not limiting in nature. Those skilled in the art will recognize that any number of display members may project from support member 412 and remain within the spirit and scope of the invention. For example only, FIG. 10 shows four display members 414, 472, 474, 476 extending from support member 412.

Display member 414 and each additional display member extending from support member 412 may include four edges 436, 438, 440, 442. Edge 436 meets support member 412 and provides for attachment of display member 414 to support member 412. Display member 414 may include a first wall 478 extending upward from edge 440 of display member 414. Wall 478 may be configured in height so as to be shorter than a body 64 of a conventional nail polish bottle 50. Display member 414 may include a second wall 480 extending upward from edge 438 of display member 414. Wall 480 may be configured in height so as to be shorter than a body 64 of a conventional nail polish bottle 50. Display member 414 may include a third wall 482 extending upward from edge 442 of display member 414. Wall 482 may be configured in height so as to be shorter than a body 64 of a conventional nail polish bottle 50.

A nail polish bottle display device in accordance with the present invention has many advantages as compared to various conventional nail polish bottle display devices. Apertures that provide for inverted positioning of nail polish bottles provide a view of the contents within the body of a nail polish bottle, unobstructed by the head and neck portion of a nail polish bottle. Apertures that are configured not only for inverted positioning of nail polish bottles, but also for upward positioning of nail polish bottles, offer the further advantage that various decorative arrangements of nail polish bottles may be created, thereby drawing the consumer's attention to the display device and providing a more aesthetically pleasing display device. In addition to enhancing the aesthetic feature of the display device, allowing for both inverted and upward positioning of stored nail polish bottles enables a user of the inventive display device to effectively keep the contents of nail polish bottles thoroughly mixed in order to avoid the settling and separation of a portion of the contents to the bottom of the nail polish bottle, associated with entirely upward positioning of nail polish bottles during storage.

Again, while the invention has been shown and described with reference to one or more particular embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of skill in the art that various changes and modifications can be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A nail polish bottle display device, comprising:

a support member; and

a display member projecting from said support member, said display member including at least one aperture therein, wherein said aperture is recessed with a first closed perimeter defining a first diameter in a top surface of said display member and a second closed perimeter defining a second reduced diameter offset from said first diameter, said aperture configured to seat and position an upwardly positioned nail polish bottle that is inserted from above said aperture.

2. The nail polish bottle display device of claim 1 wherein said aperture has a generally circular shape.

3. The nail polish bottle display device of claim 1 wherein said aperture has a generally rectangular shape.

4. The nail polish bottle display device of claim 1 wherein said recessed aperture includes a radially inwardly tapering chamfer.

5. The nail polish bottle display device of claim 1 wherein said first diameter of said aperture is greater than a diameter of a body of a nail polish bottle to be positioned in said aperture.

6. The nail polish bottle display device of claim 5 wherein said first diameter of said aperture is greater than a diameter of a head and neck portion of a nail polish bottle to be positioned in said aperture.

7. The nail polish bottle display device of claim 6 wherein said second diameter of said aperture is smaller than a diameter of a body of a nail polish bottle to be positioned in said aperture.

8. The nail polish bottle display device of claim 7 wherein said second diameter of said aperture is greater than a diameter of a head and neck portion of a nail polish bottle to be positioned in said aperture.

9. The nail polish bottle display device of claim 1 wherein said display member includes a plurality of apertures.

10. The nail polish bottle display device of claim 9 wherein said plurality of apertures is evenly spaced within said display member.

11. The nail polish bottle display device of claim 1 further comprising a base from which said support member extends.

12. The nail polish bottle display device of claim 11 wherein said support member is perpendicular to said base.

13. The nail polish bottle display device of claim 12 wherein said display member is in a first plane and said base is in a second plane, wherein said first plane of said display member is at an incline relative to said second plane of said base.

14. The nail polish bottle display device of claim 13 wherein said first plane of said display member is at an acute angle relative to said second plane of said base.

15. The nail polish bottle display device of claim 11 wherein said support member is configured in size so as to space said display member from said base to allow a head and neck portion of a nail polish bottle to be disposed in an inverted position within said aperture to extend through said aperture, but not engage said base.

16. The nail polish bottle display device of claim 1 wherein said support member is perpendicular to said display member.

17. The nail polish bottle display device of claim 1 wherein said support member is configured for mounting said display device to a wall that is generally vertical.

18. The nail polish bottle display device of claim 1 further comprising a second display member projecting from said support member, said second display member including at least one aperture therein, wherein said aperture is recessed with a first diameter in a top surface of said display member and a second reduced diameter offset from said first diameter, said aperture configured to seat and position an upwardly positioned nail polish bottle.

19. The nail polish bottle display device of claim 18 wherein said support member is configured in size so as to space said first display member from said second display member to allow a head and neck portion of a nail polish bottle to be disposed in an inverted position within said aperture to extend through said aperture of said first display member, but not engage an upwardly positioned nail polish bottle to be disposed in said aperture of said second display member.

20. The nail polish bottle display device of claim 19 wherein said support member is configured in size so as to space said first display member from said second display member to allow a head and neck portion of said nail polish bottle to be disposed in an inverted position within said aperture to extend through said aperture of said first display member, but not engage an inverted nail polish bottle to be disposed in said aperture of said second display member.

21. The nail polish bottle display device of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of display members projecting from said support member, each of said plurality of display members including at least one aperture therein, wherein said aperture is recessed with a first diameter in a top surface of said display member and a second reduced diameter offset from said first diameter, said aperture configured to seat and position an upwardly positioned nail polish bottle.

22. The nail polish bottle display device of claim 1 wherein said display member includes a first wall extending upward from a first edge of said display member, said first wall being configured in height so as to be smaller than a body of a nail polish bottle to be positioned in said aperture of said display member.

23. The nail polish bottle display device of claim 22 wherein said display member includes a second wall extending upward from a second edge of said display member, said second wall being configured in height so as to be smaller than a body of a nail polish bottle to be positioned in said aperture of said display member.

24. The nail polish bottle display device of claim 23 wherein said display member includes a third wall extending upward from a third edge of said display member, said third wall being configured in height so as to be smaller than a body of a nail polish bottle to be positioned in said aperture of said display member.