Abstract:
A device for use in removing finger nail polish while protecting the user&#39;s fingers and nails from deleterious effects of contact with nail polish remover solution. The device includes a pair of elongate imperforate channel-like members which underlie and extend between a pair of user&#39;s fingers and which mount therebelow a swab adapted to be impregnated with polish remover and rubbed against the nails having polish to be removed.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to manicuring devices, and more particularly, the present invention relates to a device for use in removing fingernail polish. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Fingernails are kept attractive by periodic manicuring. Part of the manicuring process involves removal of old nail polish and application of new polish. Nail polish is customarily removed by means of nail polish remover solutions which dissolve the old polish. The solution is generally applied by means of a cotton swab, fabric patch, or other porous substance held between one&#39;s fingers and rubbed against the old polish. 
     Manicurists are particularly vulnerable to the deleterious effects of nail polish remover solution. They often sustain skin and nail damage due to continual contact with nail polish remover. A presently known commercially available device includes a container having a tubular liner of sponge rubber. The liner is impregnated with polish remover. In use, the finger tip is inserted in the container, and the finger is rotated in opposite directions relative to the container. 
     These devices have not been entirely satisfactory because it takes too long to remove the polish. The resulting long exposure of the finger tip to the remover solution causes the skin, cuticle and nail to dry out, and can cause skin irritation. Moreover, these devices are not particularly effective when several coats of polish are present, and they do not effectively remove polish located adjacent the cuticle. As a result, further steps are often required to remove all the polish. 
     U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,980,940 and 3,369,553 disclose devices for removing nail polish. U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,179,046 and 2,251,551 disclose devices for protecting freshly applied polish from being damaged while drying. U.S. Pat. No. 474,237 discloses a blotting pad adapted to be releasably secured between a person&#39;s fingers. U.S. Pat. No. 552,462 discloses a finger mounted moistening device. U.S. Pat. No. 4,454,624 discloses a scouring pad holder having finger-tip receiving cavities. None of these devices, however, either addresses the problem with which the present invention is concerned or provides a satisfactory solution. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     With the foregoing in mind, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a novel device for use in removing finger nail polish while simultaneously protecting a person&#39;s fingers from substantial contact with the nail polish remover solution. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a unique device which is easy to use by professional manicurists to remove finger nail polish while simultaneously protecting their fingers and nails from continual contact with nail polish remover solution. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a protective device for use in removing nail polish, which device is simple, durable, and inexpensive to manufacture utilizing high-speed, mass production, plastic injection molding techniques. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a nail polish remover device which is comfortable to use and which protects a user&#39;s fingers and nails from direct contact with nail polish remover solution. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     More specifically, the present invention provides a device for use in removing finger nail polish while simultaneously protecting a person&#39;s fingers from the deleterious effects of the nail polish remover solution. This device comprises a pair of elongate protective members which are adapted to be received between adjacent digits of a person&#39;s hand. Each protective member includes an upstanding web and a flange extending laterally outward from the web, the protective members being disposed with their webs in confronting relation and their flanges extending laterally outward. The protective members extend generally in the direction of the digits, and they carry gripping means below the user&#39;s digits for receiving therebetween a mass of absorbent material, such as a cotton swab. Preferably, the protective members are pivotally connected and carry teeth for releasably engaging the cotton swab to enable it to be removed and replaced periodically. Spring means biases the protective member teeth into engagement with the cotton swab. Handle means projects from the protective members for permitting them to be pivoted against the bias of the spring means. In use, the flanges keep the user&#39;s fingers straight and protect the bottoms of the user&#39;s fingers from substantial contact with nail polish remover solution and the webs protect the sides of the user&#39;s fingers. The device enables the user to apply downward pressure and a reciprocating rubbing action to remove nail polish. Preferably, the flanges and webs are sized and shaped with respect to the handle means to enable their proximal portions partially to underlie the user&#39;s palm. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention should become apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a nail polish remover device embodying the present invention, the device being shown in full lines positioned between a manicurist&#39;s fingers and thumb which, along with a cotton swab, are shown in phantom lines; 
     FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of the device illustrated in FIG. 1, the view looking at the distal ends of the manicurist&#39;s fingers and thumb and showing the manner in which the device grips a swab when in use; 
     FIG. 3 is a view, similar to FIG. 2, but illustrating the device opened for disengaging the swab; and 
     FIG. 4 is a plan view looking upwardly to illustrate certain details of the construction of the nail polish remover device. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates in full lines a protective device 10 which embodies the present invention. The protective device 10 comprises a pair of protective members 11 and 12 which are connected together to form the device 10. As will be discussed, the protective members 11 and 12 are shaped to receive and support in a substantially straight manner adjacent digits 13 and 14, and thumb 15, of a user&#39;s hand shown in phantom lines. The device 10 is adapted to carry a mass of absorbent material such as the swab of cotton S indicated in broken lines below the user&#39;s digits 13, 14 and 15. 
     Each protective member, such as the member 11, is horizontally elongate for receiving at least a portion of the finger of the user, and preferably for supporting the finger for its entire length. The member 11 has a horizontally extending flange portion 11a and an upwardly projecting web portion 11b formed integral therewith. The outer edge of the horizontal flange portion 11a may be, and preferably is, upturned as illustrated. The flange 11a and web 11b are imperforate along their lengths and cooperate to define a generally upwardly-open, finger-receiving channel best seen in FIG. 2. The horizontal flange 11a is adapted to be engaged by the bottom of the finger, and the upwardly projecting web 11b is adapted to be engaged by the side of the finger. The companion protective member 12 has a corresponding web and flange portion 12a and 12b, respectively. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the protective members 11 and 12 are of a rigid material, such as plastic. They may, however, be molded of a somewhat flexible material, such as a rubber compound, so as to deform slightly to accommodate more readily the user&#39;s fingers. Also, sharp edges can be rounded where desired to enhance comfort. 
     As best seen in FIG. 2, the protective members 11 and 12 are disposed in substantially parallel relation for disposing the finger-receiving channels in corresponding relation. The protective members 11 and 12 are connected together in this relation by means of transverse interdigitated hinge elements 11c and 12c which overlap one another in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. A pin 15 extends through the overlapped hinge elements 11c and 12c to interconnect them and to provide a pivotal connection between the members 11 and 12 permitting them to pivot about the pin 15 for purposes to be discussed. In addition, a torsion spring 16 has its helical body portion mounted on the pin 15 and a pair of arms 16a and 16b which extend upwardly and engage the members 11 and 12 in the manner illustrated to provide a force tending to bias the member 11 clockwise and the member 12 counter-clockwise (FIG. 2). 
     For holding the swab S of cotton, each protective member has a lower gripping flange portion, such as the gripping flange portion 11d which depends below the level of the horizontal flange portion 11a and extends inwardly towards a corresponding gripping flange portion 12d of the companion protective member 12. As best seen in FIG. 2, the webs 11b and 12b converge in an upward direction toward the pivot pin 15 and the gripping flanges 11d and 12d converge below the protective flanges 11a and 12a from a common location, thereby forming a cavity for receiving a portion of the cotton swab S. The flange portions 11d and 12d, respectively, terminate in a series of inturned teeth, 11e and 12e, respectively (FIG. 4) along a vertical plane intermediate the members 11 and 12. The teeth 11e, 12e are adapted to penetrate and thereby hold the cotton swab S. 
     For the purpose of enabling the teeth 11e, 12e to be separated for enabling the cotton swab S to be placed therebetween, each protective member has a narrow handle portion 11f and 12f which projects upwardly above the level of the pivot pin 15 and outwardly in overlying relation with their respective horizontal flange portions 11a and 12a, forming a bight which enables inward pressure to be applied for opening the teeth. With this structure, the user can position the fingers in the manner illustrated in FIG. 3 for applying inward pressure against the bias of the torsion spring 16 to open the teeth 11e and 12e to enable the cotton swab S to be placed therebetween, and also to enable the cotton swab S to be disengaged from the device 10 after the swab S has been used. 
     In using the device 10, a cotton swab S is first mounted between the gripping teeth in the manner previously discussed. The cotton swab S is then impregnated with nail polish remover solution, as by placing the swab S on the top of a pump and pumping the same in a well known manner. After the swab S has been impregnated with nail polish remover solution, the user, with fingers positioned in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, rubs the cotton swab S across the finger nails in a reciprocating motion while applying downward pressure, in much the same manner as would be done if the cotton swab were gripped between the fingers. 
     The imperforate horizontal and vertical flanges of the protective device 10 causes the user&#39;s fingers to remain straight in the channels, thereby preventing the user&#39;s fingers and nails from coming into contact with the nail polish remover solution impregnated in the swab S. As a result, the user&#39;s nails and fingers are protected from the deleterious effects of the nail polish remover solution, making the device 10 particularly suited for the professional manicurist who would normally otherwise have her/his fingers and finger nails in continual contact with nail polish remover solution. After the polish has been removed in the manner described, the protective members 11 and 12 are separated in the manner illustrated in FIG. 3, and the cotton swab S dropped from between the teeth 11e, 12e to ready the device 10 for receiving a new cotton swab and a repeat of the above described process. 
     The device 10 is particularly effective for several reasons. First of all, the disposition of the pivot axis 15 above the level of the horizontal flanges 11a and 12a causes the teeth 11e, 12e, to be urged into firm engagement with one another when downward pressure is applied by the fingers of the user against the finger nails from which the polish is to be removed. Thus, the cotton swab S is firmly gripped by the device 10, notwithstanding repeated rubbing. Also, the handles 11f and 12f are of considerably less lengthwise extent than the protective members 11 and 12. As a result, when the handles 11f, 12f are placed in the crotch between the adjacent fingers, a portion of the palm of the user underlies the proximal ends of the horizontal flanges 11a and 12a. This enables the user&#39;s palms to apply significant downward pressure to the nails, while at the same time the handles, with portions overlying the user&#39;s fingers, prevent the device 10 from being dropped in the event the user should relax the pressure, such as when shifting the device 10 from one nail to another or while pumping additional nail polish remover solution into the swab S. 
     From the foregoing, it should be apparent that the protective device 10 prevents the user&#39;s finger from coming into contact with the cotton swab S and, therefore, the nail polish remover solution impregnated therein. Thus, the user&#39;s fingers are well protected from the deleterious effects of the solution. This is accomplished, however, without losing the benefits of being able to apply pressure to the finger nails and of being able to impregnate the cotton swab S with polish remover solution by using conventional pumps. As a result, the device 10 both protects the user&#39;s fingers without significantly impairing the user&#39;s customary manner of removing nail polish. Furthermore, the device 10, being of molded plastic construction, is economical to manufacture using high speed injection molding techniques. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the protective members 11 and 12 are pivotally connected together to enable the cotton swab to be removed and replaced. If desired, however, the protective members could be rigidly interconnected with a cotton swab permanently mounted between the teeth to thereby provide a disposable device. The pivotal interconnection provides the advantage of enabling the device 10 to be reused. 
     While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail, various modifications, alterations and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.