US20090090377A1

US20090090377A1 - Multi-function fingernail device

Info

Publication number: US20090090377A1
Application number: US11/868,639
Authority: US
Inventors: Christine TRAN
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-10-08
Filing date: 2007-10-08
Publication date: 2009-04-09

Abstract

A multi-function fingernail device having a first brush component with a handle and a brush head, the handle having an open end exposing a hollow interior. A second brush component is removably insertable into and out of the hollow interior. The second brush component has a brush at one end and a scraper, with a cleaner/applicator attached to the scraper or a second brush, at the other end. The second brush component may be of a single-piece, or of a separable two-piece, construction.

Description

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

None.

BACKGROUND

The improved manicuring device as set forth in this disclosure relates to an improvement in nail brushes, and more particularly to an improved combination multi-function nail brush, nail cleaner, nail scraper, and nail cleaner/design applicator.
The fingernail is an important skin appendage. It covers the dorsal surface of the terminal phalanges; i.e., the most distal bones of each finger and toe. Fingernails serve to protect the tips of the fingers and to assist in picking up small objects. They may be decorated or plain as desired by the person.
Fingernails are composed of laminated layers of a protein called keratin, which is also found in one's hair and skin. As a result, fingernails should be kept in good condition and clipped regularly in a rounded or squared shape.
Most of the fingernail is pink because of the underlying vascular tissue. The crescent-shaped half-moon-like white area at the bottom of the fingernail is the lunula. The lunula has a white-ish appearance because the vascular tissue under it does not show through. The lunula is the area in which new fingernail growth occurs.
The cuticle is just below the lunula and the nail body is above the lunula and is basically pinkish in color. The cuticle is the tissue that overlaps the lunula at the base of the fingernail. It serves as a barrier to keep bacteria from entering one's body and protects the new keratin cells that slowly emerge as the fingernail grows
As the fingernail grows, it will extend beyond the fingertip. The part of the fingernail which extends beyond the fingertip is referred to as the free edge and it also is white-ish in color or not a pink as the nail body.
A “pink-and-white” fingernail has become very popular. The process to produce a pink-and-white fingernail is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and multi-faceted in that several implements are required. These include a large fingernail brush, a smaller fingernail brush, a fingernail scraper, and a fingernail cleaner.
Reference is now made to FIGS. 1 through 4 in an attempt to clarify the process. The pink-and-white fingernail process first requires the manicure specialist to prepare the fingernail 60 for application of a nail tip 65 and ultimate application of acrylic on the fingernail 60. Conventional preparation requires “roughening” the surface of the fingernail 60 typically by using a rotary sanding device designed for fingernails. A nail tip 65 is then glued onto the fingernail over and covering the free edge 63 of the fingernail 60 and can be trimmed to any desired length.
A ridge or step 66 is formed where the bottom of the nail tip 65 meets the fingernail body 62. Using the rotary sanding device, this ridge 66 is typically sanded down leaving a slight incline between the bottom of the nail tip 65, where the ridge 66 was, and the fingernail body 62.
First the entire nail 62 is primed with a conventional primer. Next a white acrylic is applied onto the nail tip 65 by using a large nail brush and dipping it into a conventional monomer, then into a conventional white powder thereby forming a brushable acrylic paste, followed by brush application of the white acrylic paste onto the nail tip 65. The white acrylic paste dries extremely fast and the manicure specialist typically works the white acrylic paste by brushing over it with the monomer using the large nail brush.
This is typically followed by use of the smaller brush to create a crescent moon-like shape on the nail tip 65 by brushing side to side and up and down on the nail tip 65 until the exact crescent shape is perfectly achieved.
The idea is to create a white crescent-moon shape on the nail tip 65 up from the ridge line 66 to the entire nail tip 65 [see FIG. 4]. Any excess white acrylic under the nail tip 65 is removed with a nail cleaner. Any dried white acrylic below the ridge line 66 is typically removed by sanding, filing, or scraping; a time-consuming and delicate task.
Next, by using a larger nail brush, the pink acrylic component is applied. This is done by dipping the nail brush into a conventional monomer, then into a conventional pink powder thereby forming a brushable acrylic paste, followed by brush application of the pink acrylic paste downward from the nail tip 65 to, but not onto, the cuticle 71, thereby covering the nail body 62 and lunula 61 in the process. The pink acrylic paste also dries extremely fast and the manicure specialist typically works the pink acrylic paste by brushing over it with the monomer using the large nail brush.
Inasmuch as it is desired for the crescent-moon shape of the white tip to maintain its purest white color, the manicure specialist must remove any excess pink acrylic paste overlapping the white tip by sanding and filing; also a time-consuming and delicate task. Scraping, however, is a novel method and a better method provided scraping can be done quickly and before the acrylic dries. The device of the present disclosure is suited to accomplish this task.
I have found that scraping is best accomplished by placing the scraper onto the white tip, adjacent to the nail 62 and over the ridge 66, pressing down on that surface area and scraping from one side to the other side to remove all the excess pink acrylic which overlaps the white tip before the pink acrylic dries. This is repeated as necessary until the white tip is clean of the pink, is the desired crescent shape, and is pure white. This scraping procedure eliminates the need for filing or sanding or both. This also is a delicate task and must be done quickly without searching for necessary implements. The need to do this is so that the white tip does not become clouding in appearance. It is desired that it be as pure white as is possible.
After the pink-and-white fingernail process is complete, the customer may also desire a pattern, such as a flower design, on the pink section or the white section or both. Typically, a round-shaped nail cleaner is used for this purpose. This rounded end may be used to create various patterns and designs on the fingernail [such as, but not limited to, flower patterns, dots, hearts, raindrops, and the like], as desired, when first dipped in a suitable polish, a water-based paint, or other solution before dabbing onto the now-dried pink acrylic component or onto the now-dried white acrylic component or both.
Consequently, to process the pink-and-white fingernail, the manicure specialist must have at hand, [1] a large nail brush to apply the pink and white acrylic, [2] a small nail brush to work the white acrylic/polish to the desired crescent-moon shape and to apply a clear glossy gel as a topcoat for a shiny finished look, [3] a nail scraper to remove any excess pink acrylic overlapping the white tip, and [4] a nail cleaner to clean excess acrylic under the fingernail and the nail tip as well as to apply design patterns as may be desired by the customer. With the need to work fast due to the fast-drying acrylics, and the requirement of four nail-care implements to perform four to five functions, one or more such nail-care implements may not be readily handy or found when precisely needed due to the speed in which the manicure specialist must operate.
The device of this present disclosure combines all these stand-alone prior art nail-care implements required in the pink-and-white fingernail process into a single device to thereby permit the user to be more effective and more efficient in the pink-and-white fingernail process. The single device eliminates the need to switch back and forth between the multiple nail-care implements or the need to locate a misplaced nail-care implement when precisely need. All these components in a single device also eliminates the frustration associated with the very possibility of misplacing one essential prior art nail-care implement and then searching for it or a suitable replacement while in the middle of a pink-and-white fingernail process.
All the user needs to do with the device of this present disclosure is to rotate it from one desired component [large nail brush] to the next desire component [scraper/nail cleaner], or to remove another component [small nail brush] from the handle receptacle of the large nail brush. The pink-and-white fingernail process is simplified and expedited in the process.
Additionally, with all these components incorporated into a single device renders the cost of manufacture and cost to purchase substantially less than the cost of buying several stand-alone prior art nail-care implements. Moreover, if a component is damaged, only that component need be replaced rather than the entire device.
The foregoing has outlined some of the more pertinent objects of the improved manicuring device as set forth in this disclosure. These objects should be construed to be merely illustrative of some of the more prominent features and applications of the improved manicuring device. Many other beneficial results can be attained by applying the disclosed improved manicuring device in a different manner or by modifying the improved manicuring device within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other objects and a fuller understanding of the improved manicuring device as set forth in this disclosure may be had by referring to the summary of the improved manicuring device and the detailed description of the preferred embodiment in addition to the scope of the improved manicuring device defined by the claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY

The above-noted problems, among others, are overcome by the improved manicuring device as set forth in this disclosure. Briefly stated, the improved manicuring device contemplates a multi-function fingernail device with a first brush component having a handle with a brush head attached and an open end in the handle exposing a hollow interior; and with a second brush component having a brush at one end and a scraper, with a cleaner/applicator attached to the scraper, at the other end wherein the second brush component is removably insertable into the hollow interior of the first brush component and the second brush component may be of a single-piece construction or may be of a separable two-piece construction.
The foregoing has outlined the more pertinent and important features of the improved manicuring device as set forth in this disclosure in order that the detailed description that follows may be better understood so the present contributions to the art may be more fully appreciated. Additional features of the improved manicuring device will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims.
It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the disclosed specific embodiment may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures and methods for carrying out the same purposes of the improved manicuring device as set forth in this disclosure. It also should be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions and methods do not depart from the spirit and scope of the improved manicuring device as set forth in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the improved manicuring device as set forth in this disclosure, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a detailed front elevation view of a fingernail.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of a fingernail.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of a fingernail with a nail tip attached.

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of a fingernail with a nail tip attached.

FIG. 5 is an elevation, partially cut-away, view of the device of the present disclosure illustrating a friction-fit.

FIG. 6 is an elevation view of the two-component internal brush component illustrating a bayonet-fit of its two components wherein both components have a brush at each end.

FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of the internal brush component of the device of the present disclosure illustrating a friction-fit.

FIG. 8, as taken on line 8-8 of FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the internal brush component of the device of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings in detail and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 5, reference character 10 of FIG. 5 generally designates an improved multi-function fingernail device constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment thereof.
FIG. 1 is illustrative of a human finger 70 having a cuticle 71 and fingernail 60. The fingernail 60 consists of, from the cuticle 71 up, the lunula 61 [moon-like white section], the nail body 62 [pinkish section], and the free edge 63 [the basically white-like in color distal end grown out from the distal end of the finger 70].
As discussed in the background, the pink-and-white process for fingernails is time-consuming, detailed work, and requires several different nail-care implements. Each such nail-care implement is a stand-alone nail-care implements which generally needs to be alternated in the pink-and-white process. Consequently, the manicure specialist will lay down one nail-care implement and pick up another, and do this repeatedly during the course of the process. The pink-and-white process requires speed, in that the acrylics are extremely fast-drying, and detail or else the user must start over. Mis-placing a nail-care implement when needed most is a prelude disaster and generally will require the manicure specialist to start over.
The multi-function fingernail device 10 of the present disclosure has a first brush component 20 and a second brush component 40 which is removably insertable into and from the first brush component 20. The first brush component 20 has handle 24 with a brush head 22 at one end [the tip 21] and an open end 26 at its other end. From the open end 26 and up into the handle 24 is a hollow chamber. The second brush component 40 removably inserts into and out of this hollow chamber.
The second brush component 40 itself is a multi-function device having smaller brush 42 on one end and a scraper 52 and applicator 58, or another small brush 42′ [see FIG. 6], on the other end. The second brush component 40 inserts into the hollow chamber of the open end 26 of the first brush component 20. With the scraper 52 being exposed, the user can apply conditioners, polishes, or acrylics as necessary with the brush head 22 and, by rotating the multi-function fingernail device 10, can scrape and/or clean or apply designs or patterns with the other end without having to place the multi-function fingernail device 10 down and search for a suitable nail-care implement for the particular process.
If a need arises to use a small brush in conjunction with a large brush, the user merely can remove the second brush component 40 from the first brush component 20, flip it over to insert the scraper end into the hollow chamber of the first brush component 20 thereby exposing the small brush 42 for use.
The second brush component 40 is unique onto itself. Reference is made to FIGS. 5 through 8. The brush 42 is attached to the brush handle 44 at the forward end 41 of the brush handle 44. The scraper 52 is attached to the scraper handle 54 at the forward end 51 of the scraper handle 54. The brush handle 44 and the scraper handle 54 join together at the adjacency point 48 which generally is the approximate mid-point of the second brush component 40.
The second brush component 40 can be friction-fitted into the open end 26 of the first brush component 20 due to different widths of the various elements of the multi-function fingernail device 10. In this regard, the width of the inner surface of the open end 26 of the first brush component 20 has width-W. The adjacency point 48 has width-W1 whereby width-W1 is greater than width-W. The forward end 41 of the brush handle 44 has a width-W2 and the forward end 51 of the scraper handle 54 has a width-W2′ wherein width-W1 is greater than both width-W2 and width-W2′. Width-W2 and width-W2′ may be of approximate equal widths.
Given this configuration, either front end 41, 51 of the second brush component 40 can easily fit into the hollow chamber of the first brush component 20 through the open end 26 but, as the width of the second brush component 40 increases to approximate width-W1 of the adjacency point 48, which is greater than width-W of the open end 26, a snug and retaining fit results. The fit is snug to permit use of both ends of the multi-function fingernail device 10 and yet releasable to permit removing the second brush component 40 and flipping its end as necessary to brush or to scrape/clean for the intended nail-finishing process.
The second brush component 40 also may be of a single-piece construction [as illustrated in FIG. 5] or may be constructed to permit detachability of the brush handle 44 from the scraper handle 54 at or near their adjacency point 48 [as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8] (or where a second small brush 42′ is at the opposite end of the first small brush 42 [as illustrated in FIG. 6]). In this regard, the brush handle 44 has a hollow chamber with an opening thereinto at its distal end 47. The width of the inner surface of this opening is width-W3.
The scraper handle 54 has a width-W1′ at its distal end 57 whereby width-W3 is greater than width-W1′ to thereby permit insertion of the scraper handle 54 distal end 57 into the opening of the brush handle 44 and its distal end 47. The scraper handle 54 has a width-W3′ at its approximate mid-section whereby width-W3′ is greater than width-W3. This configuration permits for a secure friction-fit of the scraper handle 54 into the open end of the brush handle 44 and permits removal and flipping of the second brush component 40 to whatever implement end is necessary or desired for the nail finishing process.
It must be understood that the configuration and widths as described above for the scraper handle 54 and the brush handle 44 may be inverted respectively such that it is the scraper handle 54 having the open end and hollowed interior which receives thereinto the brush handle 44.
Although a friction-fit has been described in detail herein, the separability and retainability of the second brush component 40 to the first brush component 20 and of the scraper handle 54 to the brush handle 44, such may be accomplished by a bayonet-type fit wherein the distal end 47 of the brush handle 44 [or conversely, the distal end 57 of the scraper handle 54] has a slot 53 and the distal end 57 of the scraper handle 54 [or conversely, the distal end 47 of the brush handle 44] has a detent 55 which registers into and with the slot 53 for a secure, yet removable, fit.
Similarly, the attachment of the second brush component 40 to the first brush component 20 may also be by bayonet-type fit with slot 53 and registering detent 55 for attaching, securing, and removing as necessary. The slot 53 component could be on the brush handle 24 of the first brush component 20 or on the second brush component 40 with cooperating detents 55 on the second brush component 40 or the first brush component 20, respectively.
Because of the overall configuration described for the multi-function fingernail device 10 [i.e., second brush component 40 inserting into the first brush component 20] the brush head 22 of the first brush component 20 is larger than the brush 42 of the second brush component 40. Since it is larger, the brush head 22 is typically meant for applying pink and white acrylic component to the nail and the smaller brush, brush 42 or 42′, is typically meant for shaping the crescent moon-like appearance from the white acrylic/polish. The smaller brush may also be used to apply a glossy gel topcoat to the entire nail, nail tip 65 included, for a shiny finished look.
The brush head 22 therefore should generally have a radial arc 29 of between approximately 80° and approximately 140° and the brush 42 should generally have a radial arc 49 of between approximately 60° and approximately 100°. These radial arcs 29, 49 basically conform to the general curvature of a person's cuticle 71 and the curvature of the free edge 63 and thereby simplifies the application process.
The present disclosure includes that contained in the present claims as well as that of the foregoing description. Although this improved manicuring device has been described in its preferred forms with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred forms has been made only by way of example and numerous changes in the details of construction and combination and arrangement of parts and method steps may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the improved manicuring device as set forth in this disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the improved manicuring device should be determined not by the embodiment[s] illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.
Applicant has attempted to disclose all the embodiment[s] of the improved manicuring device that could be reasonably foreseen. It must be understood, however, that there may be unforeseeable insubstantial modifications to improved manicuring device as set forth in this disclosure that remain as equivalents and thereby falling within the scope of the improved manicuring device.

Claims

1. A multi-function fingernail device comprising:

(a) a first brush component having a brush head with a curvilinear brush tip;

(b) a handle attached to said brush head wherein said handle has an open end having a width-W and a hollow interior in communication with said open end; and

(c) a second brush component having a brush handle with a front end and a distal end with a brush attached to said front end, a scraper handle attached to said brush handle at an adjacency section wherein said scraper handle has a front end and a distal end with a scraper attached to said front end, and wherein said second brush component is removably insertable into said handle of said first brush component.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said brush head of said first brush component has a radial arc of approximately between 80° and 140°.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said brush of said second brush component has a radial arc of approximately between 60° and 100°.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said adjacency section has a width-W1, said brush handle front end has a width-W2 and said scraper handle front end has a width-W2′, wherein width-W1 is greater than width-W, and width-W is greater than said width-W2 and said width-W2′.

5. The device of claim 1 further comprising attachment means for removably attaching said brush handle to said scraper handle.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein said attachment means comprises a friction-fitting wherein said brush handle distal end has an open end with a width-W3 and said scraper handle distal end has a width-W1′ wherein width-W3 is greater than width-W1′.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein a middle section on said scraper handle has a width-W3′ wherein Width-W3′ is greater than width-W3.

8. The device of claim 5 wherein said attachment means comprises a friction-fitting wherein said scraper handle distal end has an open end with a width-W3 and said brush handle distal end has a width-W1′ wherein width-W3 is greater than width-W1′.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein a middle section on said brush handle has a width-W3′ wherein Width-W3′ is greater than width-W3.

10. The device of claim 5 wherein said attachment means comprises a detent adjacent to the distal end of said scraper handle and a slot adjacent to the distal end of said brush handle wherein said detent registers into said slot.

11. The device of claim 5 wherein said attachment means comprises a detent adjacent to the distal end of said brush handle and a slot adjacent to the distal end of said scraper handle wherein said detent registers into said slot.

12. The device of claim 1 wherein said scraper extends outward from said scraper handle terminating at an end point, is substantially flat, and is substantially rigid.

13. The device of claim 12 further comprising a ball-like member at the end point of said scraper.

14. The device of claim 12 further comprising a flattened round-like member at the end point of said scraper.

15. A multi-function fingernail device comprising:

(a) a first brush component having a brush head with a curvilinear brush tip;

(c) a second brush component having a handle with a front end, a back end, and an adjacency section between said front end and said back end, wherein a first brush is attached to said front end and a second brush is attached to said back end, and wherein said second brush component is removably insertable into said handle of said first brush component.