Abstract:
A self-enclosed workstation box having side access ports with built-in sleeve guards, a removable viewing shield, a storage bin inside of the box with a holder on the bin cover for storing and supporting supplies thereon. The viewing shield can be hinged to the box for allowing access to the entire interior of the box. Arm rests can be located inside for supporting any one of the hands of the operators and users of the box. A bottom port can allow for noxious fumes and debris to be removed from the box by a fan, and a filter the latter of which can prevent the fumes from passing into the atmosphere outside of the box.

Description:
This invention relates to manicure, and in particular to a see-through workstation enclosure that allows technicians to safely provide manicuring services without harm from noxious fumes and materials. 
     BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART 
     Manicurists often require the use of various tools such as nail files and coatings such as nail polish remover, nail paint, and the like, that can produce dangerous substances. Noxious fumes, vapors, dust and debris have been known to circulate and can cause health problems to both the manicurist and their customer. For example, the dust and grindings that often are produced can be harmful if breathed by the manicurist and their customer. 
     Past solutions to solve these problems have included either or both facemasks and eye protection such as goggles, and even protective garments. However, these proposed solutions are difficult to use since they obstruct the manicurist and the customer, and are often inadequate for not totally controlling the environment. 
     Various workstations have been proposed over the years. See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,112,373 to Pham; U.S. Pat. No. 5,336,128 to Birdsong; U.S. Pat. No. 5,464,029 to Rentz; U.S. Pat. No. 5,787,903 to Blackshear; U.S. Pat. No. 6,302,947 to Rees, Jr.; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,338,675 to Winkelman. However, none of these patents totally removes all the problems addressed above. 
     Pham &#39;373, Birdsong &#39;128, Rees, Jr. &#39;947, and Winkelman &#39;675 each describe workstations that cannot adequately restrict debris and fumes from exiting about the sides of the hands of the manicurist and their customer, which can still contact the users. Furthermore, most of these devices have no bottom floor. Thus, table top surfaces can be damaged by fumes and debris resulting from using these workstations. 
     Rentz &#39;029 and Blackshear &#39;903 each describe other elaborate large and expensive workstations that require types of “curtains” that the users must insert their hands through. The “curtains” remain stationary and cannot move with the users&#39; hands and would be inherently uncomfortable as well as would not provide adequate seals about the users&#39; hands. Thus, fumes and debris can still exit these workstations. Furthermore, these large cumbersome devices must be mounted directly on the floor and take up a substantial amount of time. Thus, these devices cannot be considered to be portable nor mountable on tabletops, and the like. 
     There are other additional problems with these known prior art devices. For example, none of the above manicure type stations allow for internal storage of manicure supplies within the stations. Furthermore, none of these stations allow for easy access into the station without having to go through the hand portal openings. Thus, the inside of the station itself cannot be easily accessible. Still furthermore, none of the proposed devices allows for supporting the hands of either or both the manicurist and their customer. Requiring the users to continuously hold their hands up can cause both discomfort and physical pain to the users of these stations. Thus, the need exists for solutions to the above cited problems with the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The first objective of this invention is to provide a self-enclosed manicure work station that eliminates the need for a users to wear protective eyewear, facemasks, gloves, and protective garments while safely and securingly sealing the hands of the users inside of the workstations. 
     The second object of the present invention is to provide a self-enclosed manicure work station that does not need to be floor mounted and can be both portable and used on tabletop. 
     The third object of the present invention is to provide a self-enclosed manicure work station that allows a manicurist to manicure nails in a simple, non complex environment. 
     The fourth object of the present invention is to provide a self-enclosed manicure work station that confines all resultant dust, and waste within the enclosure and allows for easy removal of the resultant dust and waste through suction and/or replaceable/cleanable filters, and the like. 
     The fifth object of the present invention is to provide a self-enclosed manicure workstation having an internal support rack/stand/compartment that allows supplies to be safely held, stored inside of the workstation which allows supplies to be easily and continuously accessible while the manicurist is working. 
     The sixth object of the invention is a means of controlling odors. 
     The seventh object of this invention is to provide a self-enclosed manicure workstation having a large openable door for allowing the inside of the workstation to be easily serviced and cleaned. 
     The eigth object of this invention is to provide a self-enclosed manicure workstation that uses a removable magnifying viewing window to magnify the work being performed and an internal light source. 
     The ninth object of this invention is to provide a self-enclosed manicure workstation that can use an armrest support for either or both users of the workstation. 
     A preferred embodiment of the self-enclosed manicure type workstation can include a box having a closed top, sides, and bottom having side access ports in the sides, sleeve guards in the access ports for sealingly wrapping about a wrist of a user, and a removable viewing shield cover on the top of the box for allowing access for servicing an cleaning within the workstation. 
     The box can include four openings, two one opposite sides of the box. One set of openings can be for allowing the hands of an operator such as manicurist to be inserted inside, and the second pair of openings can be for allowing the hands of a user such as a manicurist customer to be inserted inside. The sleeve guards can include narrow elastic wrist type portions for wrapping about wrists of the manicurist and customer. 
     The viewing shield can also include a hinged edge for allowing shield to pivot to an open position allowing greater access to the interior of the workstation and optionally, a magnifying lens portion. 
     The workstation can also include a drawer accessible outside of the workstation for both supporting supplies inside of the workstation and being removable from a side port of the workstation. 
     Fan exhausts with removable filters can safely remove noxious fumes and debris from the workstation while not passing the fumes and debris into the surrounding atmosphere. 
     Upright armrest supports can be inside of the box for supporting the hand(s) of any users of the workstation to remove physical discomfort and allow for one&#39;s hands to be consistently supported in fixed positions. 
    
    
     Further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of a presently preferred embodiment which is illustrated schematically in the accompanying drawings. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
     FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the manicure workstation invention with viewing door in an open position 
     FIG. 2A is a top view of the manicure workstation of FIG. 1 along arrow  2 A. 
     FIG. 2B is a front view of the manicure workstation of FIG. 1 along arrow  2 B. 
     FIG. 2C is drawer side view of the manicure workstation of FIG. 1 along arrow  2 C. 
     FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the manicure workstation of FIG. 1 with side drawer open. 
     FIG. 4 shows the manicure workstation of the above figures used by a manicurist and customer. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Before explaining the disclosed embodiment of the present invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the particular arrangement shown since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. 
     The subject invention is related to the inventors&#39; previous U.S. Pat. No. 6,241,328 to Ziff for an “enclosed workstation”, which is incorporated by reference. 
     FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the manicure workstation invention  1  with viewing door  10  in an open position. FIG. 2A is a top view of the manicure workstation  1  of FIG. 1 along arrow  2 A. FIG. 2B is a front view of the manicure workstation  1  of FIG. 1 along arrow  2 B. FIG. 2C is drawer side view of the manicure workstation  1  of FIG. 1 along arrow  2 C. FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the manicure workstation  1  of FIG. 1 with side drawer  90  open. 
     Referring to FIGS. 1,  2 A,  2 B,  2 C and  3 , workstation  1  can include an angled viewing shield door  10  and flat top panel  20 , and second angled top panel  30  that all together can form a lid portion of the workstation  1 . Door  10  and top panel  30  can each be angled at approximately 45 degrees. The panels  10 ,  20 ,  30  can fit above vertical side wall panels  40  and  50 , which are also attached to front wall  60  and rear wall  70 . The bottom of workstation  1  can include a floor panel  80 . All the panels can be prefitted together, and each can be formed from see-through material such as but not limited to Plexiglas, acrylic, plastic, glass, safety glass, and the like. 
     The angled viewing door  10  can include a knob  12  for allowing the door to be opened upward so that the door  10  pivots about hinges  15  which are also attached to flat top panel  20 . The large door  10  allows the interior of the workstation to be easily reached for servicing and cleaning, and the like. See through door panel can also include a magnifying lens portion to allow the inside of the workstation to be magnified. Positioned on flat top panel  20  can be a light housing  24  having a downwardly directed light source  26  such as but not limited to a fluorescent bulb, LED (light emitting diode), and the like, that can be selectively activated by a switch  25  such as but not limited to a toggle switch, depressible button type switch, and the like. Light source  26 , can be selectively used to provide extra illumination into the workstation  1  above the hands of the manicurist and their customer. 
     Along the front vertical wall  60  can be a longitudinal opening  65  such as an oval type opening, and the like. A flexible material  67  such as but not limited to pliable plastic sheathing, burlap, elastomer, and the like, and combinations thereof, can be attached to the opening  65  and can extend inward into the inside of workstation  1  to form dual sleeve type guards  67  that each end at narrow elastic wrist type portions  66 ,  68 , respectively. The sleeve guards  67  can be formed from materials that prevent noxious fumes and debris such as dust from exiting out of the workstation  1 . An operator of the workstation  1 , such as a manicurist can use the sleeve guards  67  for inserting their hands therethrough, and use the viewing door  10  to see inside the workstation  1 . 
     Along the rear vertical wall  70  can be a longitudinal opening  75  such as an oval type opening, and the like. A flexible material  77  such as but not limited to pliable plastic sheathing, burlap, elastomer, and the like, and combinations thereof, can be attached to the opening  75  and can extend inward into the inside of workstation  1  to form dual sleeve type guards  77  that each end at narrow elastic wrist type portions  76 ,  78 , respectively. The sleeve guards  77  can be formed from materials that prevent noxious fumes and debris such as dust from exiting out of the workstation  1 . A user of the workstation  1 , such as a customer of the manicurist can use the sleeve guards  77  for inserting their hands therethrough, and use the angled top panel  30  to see inside the workstation  1 . 
     Along a bottom portion of the vertical side wall  50  can be a slot opening  55  that allows a supply drawer  90  that can function as a supply bin, to be pulled out and pushed in by a knob  92 . The drawer  90  can include partitions  95  that can form separate types of racks for allowing various supplies to be stored inside and easily accessible inside of the workstation, and easily removed and replenished by pulling the drawer  90  out of the workstation  1 . The partitions  95  of the drawer can have a lower height portion  94  extending inward so that supplies can be more easily retrieved by hands inside of the workstation  1 . 
     On the floor panel  80  of the workstation  1  can be one, two or more upwardly extending supports  96 ,  98  that can function as arm rests and the like. The arm rests can include soft upper surfaces such as pillow material and the like, that can conform to portions of one&#39;s arms, wrists, and the like, and is intended to alleviate any physical discomfort that would occur with having to constantly keep one&#39;s hands in a raised position. Additionally, the arm rests  96 ,  98  allow the user/customer to keep their hands in a fixed positions so that the manicure can more easily and efficiently be completed. Although the arm rests  96 ,  98  are positioned in front of the sleeve guards  77  of the customer/user, the arm rests can also be positioned adjacent to the sleeve guards  67  of the operator/manicurist. 
     Additionally, there can be a portal type opening  85  in the floor  80  that can be connected to an exhaust line  87  so that an exhaust fan  89  can pull noxious fumes, and debris out of the workstation  1  when needed. A replaceable filter  88 , such as a carbon filter, charcoal filter, and the like, can also be used. 
     FIG. 4 shows the manicure workstation  1  of the above figures used by an operator  110  such as a manicurist and a user  130  such as their customer. In operation, left and right hands  116 ,  118  of the manicurist can be inserted into the dual sleeve guards  67  so that the elastic wrist guards  66 ,  68  sealingly fit about the respective wrist portions of the manicurist  110 . A customer  130  can likewise insert their left and right hands  136 ,  138  into the dual sleeve guards  77  so that elastic wrist guards  76 ,  78  sealingly fit about the respective wrist portions of the customer. Arm rests  96 ,  98  can help support the respective wrists of the customer  130  so that the manicurist  110  does not have to physically hold and raise up the customers hands nor has to consistently hold the customers hands in a fixed position during the manicure. 
     Although, the preferred embodiment shows a single sleeve guard material  67 ,  77  for the operator side and the user side of the workstation  1 , the invention can use separate sleeve guards for the respective right and left hands of the operator and the user. 
     While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in various terms of certain embodiments or modifications which it has presumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended.