GB2467997A

GB2467997A - Nail file

Info

Publication number: GB2467997A
Application number: GB0919669A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Abraham Wilson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-02-20
Filing date: 2009-11-11
Publication date: 2010-08-25
Anticipated expiration: 2029-11-11
Also published as: GB0919669D0; GB0904167D0; GB2467997B; GB2468172A

Abstract

A nail file for abrading a finger or toe nail is disclosed. The nail file comprises: a main body with an inner edge defining an elongate slot through an entire depth of the main body; and a pair of substantially abrasive surfaces. Said surfaces are arranged to oppose each other across the width of the elongate slot such that a user can abut a finger or toe nail against both abrasive surfaces and abrade the nail by relative movement of the nail and the abrasive surfaces. A method of using the nail file is also disclosed.

Description

Title: A nail file

Description of the invention:

The present invention relates to a finger and/or toe nail file and a method of forming such a nail file.

The finger and/or toe nail file of the present invention seeks to provide a revolutionary aid for filing and shaping finger or toe nails which overcomes one or more problems associated with prior nail files. The file may be for use by a professional manicurist or by an amateur user.

Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention provides a nail file for abrading a finger or toe nail, the nail file comprising: a main body defining a slot; and a pair of substantially abrasive surfaces arranged to oppose each other across a width of the slot such that a user can abut a finger or toe nail against both abrasive surfaces and abrade the nail by relative movement of the nail and the abrasive surfaces.

Preferably, each of the pair of substantially abrasive surfaces is provided on a respective elongate surface and each of the pair of substantially abrasive surfaces has a length which is lessthan alergth of the elongate surface on which it is provided.

Advantageously, each of the pair of substantially abrasive surfaces is a surface of a respective raised lip which extends from the main body.

Conveniently, each raised lip has a depthof about 4mm.

Preferably, each of the pair of substantially abrasive surfaces extends away from the slot in a flared manner.

Advantageously, the raised lip has a' length Which is less than a length of the slot.

Conveniently, the main body further defines a hook for the removal of debris from underneath a finger or toe nail.

Preferably, the pair of substantially abrasive surfaces are inclined with respect to each other.

Advantageously, the slot is tapered towards a first end of the main body.

Conveniently, the file further comprises an aperture through an entire depth thereof for attachment to a key ring. , Preferably, wherein the main body further comprises one or more further abrasive surfaces.

Advantageously, the one or more further abrasive surfaces include one or more major surfaces of the main body or parts thereof.

Conveniently, the slot is through an entire depth of the main body.

Alternatively, the slot is through only part of an entire depth of the main body.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a method of manufacturing a nail file comprising: forming a main body defining a slot; and forming a pair of substantially abrasive surfaces arranged to oppose each other across a width of the slot such that a user can abut a finger or toe nail against both abrasive surfaces and abrade the nail by relative movement of the nail and the abrasive surfaces.

Embodiments of the present inventiopivilI.npw be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 shows the body shape of an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3 illustrates how an embodiment of the present invention can be used to achieve a pointed finger or toe nail shape; Fig. 4 illustrates how an embodiment of the present invention can be used to achieve a round ended finger or toe nail shape; Fig. 5 illustrates how an aspect of andMbödiment of the present invention can be used to remove debris from underneath a finger or toe nail; and Fig. 6 shows a cross-sectional view an embodiment of the present invention.

With reference to figure 1, an embodiment of the present invention comprises a nail file for a finger or toe nail. The nail file comprises a main body which is ergonomically shaped to be held &ohifortably by thumb and forefingers of one hand towards a first end of the main body -and preferably between the first end of the main body and a central transverse axis of the main body.

The main body of the nail file is preferably around 1-2mm thick but may, in an embodiment, be less than 1 mm thick. The main body is preferably planar. "

An external shape of the main body! of the nail file is preferably defined by an outer edge and is generally oval. One or more hooks may be provided along the outer edge of the main body. The or each hook is preferably located generally in the region of the central transverse axis of the main body and/or towards a second end of the main body. Preferably, two hooks are provided on opposing sides of the main body. A thickness, of the or each hook is preferably substantially the same as a thickness óf the main body of the nail file. The or each hook defines a respective point at the end thereof which can be used, as will be described below, to remove debris from underneath a finger or toe nail.

An aperture is provided towards an end of the main body through an entire depth thereof. The aperture is preferably circular and is, in an embodiment, located towards the second end of the main body of the nail file. The aperture is adapted to receive a key ring.

In an embodiment, a slot is provided through an entire depth of the main body.

The slot comprises an elongate aperture which is defined by an inner edge of the main body. The slot may be through only part of a depth of the main body such that a channel is formed in the main,body -in an embodiment.

The slot is preferably tapered such that the slot is wider towards the second and of the main body and narrower towards the first end of the main body. In other words, the slot has a generally triangular appearance.

The inner edge of the main body of the nail file has a pair of generally opposing elongate surfaces which are separated from each other by a width of the slot (the surfaces being closer together towards the first end of the main body due to the tapered slot shape).

All or part of each elongate surface is an abrasive surface. The abrasive surface may be formed by adhering a grit or a sand-like substance to the surface, by I,!.

etching the surface, or by other means which will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Each elongate surface may have a depth which is equal to the thickness of the main body of the nail file.

In an embodiment shown in figures 2-6, each elongate surface comprises a surface of a respective raised lip which extends along a length of at least part of the inner edge of the main body. Each raised lip is preferably inclined with respect to a plane of the main body of the nail file -in a flared manner. In an embodiment, each raised lip extends towards a respective adjacent outer edge of the main body of the nail file (i.e. away from the slot). Preferably, all or most of an inwardly facing surface of each raised lip comprises an elongate surface as described above (i.e. an elongate surface all or part of which may be an abrasive surface). ; The abrasive parts of the elongate surfaces of the slot are, therefore, abrasive slot surfaces.

Each raised lip preferably has a depth of about 4mm.

Each end of each raised lip is preferably about 4-6mm from the respective end of the slot.

A first and/or second major surface of the main body (which oppose each other across a width of the main body) may also, in an embodiment, be an abrasive surface.

With reference to figure 3, a generally pbinted finger or toe nail can be formed by holding the nail file in one hand and running the nail to be filed along the slot from the wide end thereof to the narrower end thereof such that the pair of abrasive slot surfaces abut against and abrade the nail to be filed. This shape of nail my be aesthetically pleasing or may have a functional benefit (for example, for guitar players).

With reference to figure 4, a generally rounded finger or toe nail can be formed by holding the nail file in one hand and racking the nail to be filed with respect to the nail file from side to side at a predetermined location along a length of the slot such that the pair of abrasive slot surfaces abut against and abrade the nail to be filed. This motion could be described as generally gyratory or semi-gyratory. The predetermined location along the length of the slot can be selected to achieve the desired result for the nail to be filed and/or for a part of the nail to filed.

With reference to figure 5, the or each hook can be used to scrape debris from underneath a toes or finger nail by running the point of a respective hook beneath a finger or toe nail. The nail file can also be rotated so as to drag the point of the hook from beneath the nail towards a free end of the nail generally along a longitudinal axis of the naiL.

It will be appreciated that various different operations are possible by applying a nail to either side of the slot.

The raised lip need not be provided; however, the raised lip helps to remove more finger nail or toe nail material more quibkly during operation. It will also be appreciated that provision of a pair of abrasive surface helps to increase the quantity of nail material removed with each pass of the nail over the surfaces -when compared to a nail file including just one such surface.

Embodiments of the nail file may be best used with the main body in a vertical orientation, using upward or downward strokes of the nail over the abrasive slot surfaces. b

The nail file may be manufactured out of one or more materials and suitable materials will be apparent to a person skilled in the art.

The nail file is preferably no larger than a typical credit card and preferably has a main body with a thickness which is substantially similar to that of a credit card.

Different main body shapes are possible and different sized nail files are also possible.

The shape of the nail file is preferable such that the file is easy to hold in a substantially upright orientation.

It will be appreciated that the nail file may be formed from a pressed material and that the general shape of the nail file may be achieved in a single pressing operation. This is assisted by the raised lips terminating before the respective ends of the slot.

One or more of the other surfaces of the main body of the nail file may be an abrasive surface. :

It will be appreciate that the abrasive surfaces and nail to be filed need to move with respect to each other with the nail to be filed abutting against the abrasive surfaces in order for the nail to be abraded.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.