Patent Publication Number: US-2015075550-A1

Title: Nail cleaning apparatus

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/855,455, filed Apr. 2, 2013, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/614,233, filed Nov. 6, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,408,217, issued Apr. 2, 2013, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/670,306, filed Feb. 1, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,393,337, issued Mar. 12, 2013, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/764,159, filed on Feb. 1, 2006, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for any and all non-limiting purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to apparatuses and methods for improving sanitary conditions. In particular, this invention relates to apparatuses for cleaning nails and surrounding areas. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In a recent survey of medical professionals, sanitation was rated most important medical advance since  1840 . Indeed, preventing cross-contamination from infected individuals, food, and/or drinking water has saved millions of lives. Nonetheless, further improvements in sanitary conditions could save several more lives and drastically reduce the spread of disease. Research has further shown that many preventable diseases rapidly spread through individual&#39;s hands, thus prompting tools and methods for reducing germs spread through this medium. 
     There are several professions where it is desirable to reduce diseases and germs that are transmitted through human handling of items. For example, medical personnel must often rapidly switch from treating patients to touching keyboards or paper files to review and update the patient&#39;s medical records. Further, workers in the food industry, such as employees handling raw and/or cooked food items may potentially contaminate the food and/or further spread contaminated food. In still yet another example, employees who handle cash, especially fibrous paper money, are potentially spreading germs and/or diseases. 
     Prior attempts to increase sanitary conditions of human hands have focused on antimicrobial creams and/or soaps. While somewhat effective, it is often cumbersome if not impossible to clean every curve and/or crevice of the hand. This is especially true the area surrounding the fingernails. Given the shape of the nails, its innate ability to break skin or food coverings, and close proximity to the skin, the nail area is well-suited to harbor germs and debris. 
     Devices for cleaning nails having historically included picks and the like. Generally, these devices allow for the removal of visible debris. However, the pick is generally used on multiple nails, thus leading to cross contamination. Another option is using a different pick for each nail, which is often more cumbersome, expensive, and/or leads to further cross contamination. Further, the picks are often thin sharp utensils, further increasing the chances of breaking the skin or endangering a third-party, such as children. 
     Other devices for cleaning nails have included sponges, however, conventional sponges allow cross-contamination to other nails and surrounding areas. Conventional sponges often lack the structural integrity to remove visible debris. Solutions to these and other shortcomings may be realized with features and advantages of the invention or of certain embodiments of the invention, which will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following disclosure and description of exemplary embodiments. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     In accordance with one aspect, an apparatus is provided that has at least one protrusion for removing visible debris from a nail and at least one nail cleaning region comprising an impregnable material for containing a liquid is provided. In one exemplary embodiment, several nail cleaning elements may be configured to each clean a different nail without cross contaminating any other nail cleaning element on the apparatus. In various exemplary embodiments, the liquid comprises an agent selected from the group consisting of: a biocide agent, moisturizing agent, a cleaning agent, and combinations thereof. In yet further embodiments, one or more dry cleaning regions may be utilized in addition to or instead of one or more wet cleaning regions. 
     In accordance with another aspect, multiple nail cleaning elements are positioned to permit the simultaneous cleaning of multiple nails without cross-contamination. In certain exemplary embodiments, multiple cleaning elements may be positioned in a relatively parallel arrangement. In other embodiments, the apparatus includes nail cleaning regions at two opposing ends. In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus is foldable. 
     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, given the benefit of the following description of certain exemplary embodiments of an apparatus or methods of using the same that at least certain embodiments of the invention have improved or alternative configurations suitable to provide desirable properties depending on, for example, different quality, costs, and/or intended uses. These and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention or of certain embodiments of the invention will be further understood by those skilled in the art from the following description of exemplary embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention may take physical form in certain parts and steps, a few embodiments of which will be described in detail in the following description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary nail cleaning apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of another exemplary nail cleaning apparatus according to at least one embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an exemplary nail cleaning apparatus having a flexible or folding portion according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  shows a side view of an exemplary folding nail cleaning apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     It should be understood that different exemplary embodiments in accordance with this disclosure may have any of numerous different specific configurations or constitutions. The composition and configuration of an apparatus in accordance with this disclosure can vary to a certain extent, depending upon such factors as the product&#39;s intended market segment, its desired use or uses, desired characteristics and/or costs. For example, in some uses it will be desirable to create an entirely disposable apparatus, yet in other embodiments, portions of the apparatus may be cleaned, autoclaved, sterilized, or the like and reused. For example, one or more disposable cartridges may be positioned on a reusable body. 
       FIG. 1  is a nail cleaning apparatus according to one exemplary embodiment of the invention. Apparatus  100  comprises a unitary body having a first end  105  and a second end  110 . The unitary body may be formed from one or more substantially rigid materials, such as for example, metal, wood, plastic, or rubber. As used herein “substantially rigid” refers to any material having sufficient structural integrity as to be held and have a force applied to it in an amount to clean the nail area without failure. Substantially rigid materials may be flexible, bendable, and shapable but are rigid enough to clean the nail area. Further, as used throughout this disclosure, the term “nail” refers to both fingernail and toenails and the area substantially adjacent to fingernails and toenails. Thus, reference to cleaning a nail is to be interpreted as cleaning a toenail and/or fingernail and/or the area in proximity to the nail. Indeed, it is common in the art and thus intended through this disclosure that references to cleaning nails may encompass cleaning under, over and/or around the curvature of the nail. 
     Returning to  FIG. 1 , exemplary apparatus  100  further comprises a first side  115  and a second side  120  in a substantial parallel arrangement. As seen in the illustrative example, each side ( 115  and  120 ) extends from the first end  105  to the second end  110 . The exemplary sides ( 115  and  120 ) are presented as mirror images of each other, however, those skilled in the art will appreciate that in yet other embodiments, the sides may be of any shape or design, and not be arranged in a parallel fashion. Further, in certain embodiments, the body of apparatus  100  may be substantially circular, for example, thus there may be no clear indication of specific “sides”, but rather just an overall shape. In still yet further embodiments, apparatus  100  is not substantially planar shaped as presented in  FIG. 1 , but may be convex, concave, or combinations of both among other general shapes. Indeed, apparatus  100  may be any shape as long as cross contamination is minimized or prevented under normal usage, as will be described in more detail below. 
     As seen in  FIG. 1 , one or more of the sides ( 115  and  120 ) may have at least one protrusion extending therefrom. For example, protrusion  125  extends from side  115  and protrusion  130  extends from side  120 . The protrusion(s), such as protrusions  125  and  130  may be made of the same material as the side (or section of the apparatus) from which they extend from or be formed of or comprise different material. In certain embodiments, one or more protrusions comprise materials that are different than the materials of at least one other protrusion. For example, protrusion  125  may comprise a rigid plastic material, while protrusion  130  may comprise a rubber material that is more flexible and/or soft than the plastic material. Indeed, any material may be chosen that may remove visible debris from the nail area. As one skilled in the art will readily appreciate in view of this disclosure, the exact material(s) utilized for the protrusion(s) may depend on the intended usage, costs, and/or other factors. 
     Further, while only one protrusion is shown on each side of the apparatus  100 , more than one protrusion may be provided on one or more sides. For example,  FIG. 2 , shows apparatus  200 , which substantially resembles apparatus  100 , however, apparatus  200  comprises protrusions  205 ,  210 ,  215  and  220 . Protrusions  205  and  210 , for example, are positioned as such to create an indentation in between in a concave shape similar to a nail, and thus may be used as one protrusion to clean nails. The exact number and placement of the protrusions may depend on a myriad of factors. Indeed, protrusions may extend from any surface of the apparatus so long as usage of the protrusions to remove debris from the nail minimizes or prevents cross contaminate the nail cleaning elements (discussed below). Further, the shape and size of the protrusions will vary depending on the embodiment of the invention. For example, protrusions  125  and  130  are substantially wedge shaped, while protrusions  205  and  210  are not. 
     In addition to being substantially wedge shaped, exemplary protrusions  125  and  130  comprise one or more slopes along one or more axis and/or irregular shaped ridges configured to allow optimal removal of debris. In one embodiment, the slopes of exemplary protrusions  125  and  130  are located on opposing sides of the respective protrusion, such to permit the slope of protrusion  125  to be facing up while the slope of protrusion  130  is shaped to be facing down. Thus in one use, a user may utilize protrusion  125  to clean one or more fingernails on one hand, then flip over or reverse apparatus  100  and utilize protrusion  130  to clean one or more fingernails on another hand. Those skilled in the art will readily understand the exact shape and size of the protrusions will be selected based upon a myriad of factors which does not need to be discussed in more detail in this disclosure. 
     Returning to  FIG. 1 , first end  105  of apparatus  100  comprises a nail cleaning region, such as plurality of nail cleaning elements  135 . The plurality of cleaning element  135  may comprise or be composed of an impregnable material for containing a liquid. As used herein, the term “liquid” encompasses mists, moisture, and/or copious amounts of fluid. The impregnable material may be any suitable material that may absorb liquid and retain at least a portion of it. As seen in the illustrative example, end  110  also comprises a plurality of nail cleaning elements  140 . While in the illustrative embodiment, elements  140  closely resemble elements  135 , other embodiments may utilize different sized and/or shaped elements. Further, other embodiments may utilize different impregnable materials for the elements, and/or impregnate the material with a different liquid or dose of liquid. For example, the plurality of elements  135  may be impregnated with an iodine solution, while the plurality of elements  140  may be impregnated with a solution to remove the iodine and/or further clean the nails. 
     The liquid chosen to impregnate one or more cleaning elements may be chosen for several reasons. In one embodiment, a biocide agent is utilized; however, the liquid may be any composition, including, for example, a moisturizing agent; a cleaning agent, and combinations thereof 
     In yet further embodiments, one or more cleaning regions may be dry or otherwise substantially free or absent of liquid(s). In certain embodiments, the dry cleaning region(s) may be utilized in addition to or instead of one or more wet cleaning regions. For example, either plurality of elements  135  and/or plurality of elements  140  may be substantially free or absent of liquid(s). In certain embodiments, a cleaning region, such as plurality of elements  135  may comprise an impressionable material that may form around the nail when pressed against the nail. In such embodiments, one or more dry cleaning compositions may be embedded on or within said impressionable material, such that the nails are cleaned without the application of one or more liquids. 
     As presented on exemplary apparatus  100 , the plurality of nail cleaning elements  135  are each in substantial parallel arrangement with each other. Other configurations are within the scope of the invention so long as the positioning permits the cleaning of a different nail by one nail cleaning element without cross contaminating any other nail cleaning element in the same nail cleaning region. Along these lines, different nail cleaning elements within the same nail cleaning region may be on different planes, such as being arranged in convex or concave and/or slanted arrangement. In certain embodiments, at least a portion of the plurality of nail cleaning elements are positioned to permit simultaneous cleaning of multiple nails while minimizing or preventing cross-contamination. 
     In certain embodiments, plurality of elements  135  and/or plurality of elements  140  may comprise disposable materials. In one embodiment, one or more disposable cartridges may be positioned on the apparatus. In one such embodiment, the apparatus  100  is made of stainless steel or material that may readily be sanitized or sterilized, such as through autoclaving, and removably attached to cartridges comprising cleaning elements. 
     In still yet further embodiments, the nail cleaning apparatus may comprise one or more flexible or folding portions.  FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an exemplary cleaning apparatus  300  having a flexible or folding portion according to one embodiment of the invention. As seen in the exemplary embodiment, cleaning apparatus  300  includes a flexible midline  305 . In one instance, the flexible midline  305  permits a first end  310  to fold onto the second end  315 . 
       FIG. 4  shows a side view of an exemplary folding nail cleaning apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention. As seen in  FIG. 4 , nail cleaning apparatus  400 , being similar to apparatus  300 , has at least a first end  405  and a second end  410 . Further, apparatus  400  includes a flexible midline  415 , which permits first end  405  to flex or fold in the direction of arrow  420  and second end to flex or fold in the direction of arrow  425 . In one such embodiment, the cleaning apparatus may be shipped, distributed, or stored in a folded up state until ready for use. This may be advantageous for keeping the apparatus sanitary, retaining moisture of one or more liquid ingredients, and/or reducing storage and shipping costs. In one such embodiment, the apparatus may lock into a substantially fixed position once unfolded. This may be advantageous for increasing the structural integrity and/or in preventing reuse of the product. In one embodiment, the first end  405  and the second end  410  join to create a larger nail cleaning region. In yet other embodiments, the cleaning apparatus  400  may be folded after use to prevent cross contamination, lock the apparatus, reduce spilling of any liquid, and/or combinations thereof among others. 
     Returning to  FIG. 3 , apparatus  300  may include one or more grips. The grips may aid in the handling and use of the apparatus. In the illustrative embodiment, grips  320  are spaced in an ergonomic manner on a substantially planar surface of the apparatus  300 . Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate upon reading this disclosure that other arrangements of grips and/or mechanisms to aid in the handling in use of the apparatus are within the scope and spirit of this disclosure. 
     Given the benefit of the above disclosure and description of exemplary embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous alternative and different embodiments are possible in keeping with the general principles of the invention disclosed here. Those skilled in this art will recognize that all such various modifications and alternative embodiments are within the true scope and spirit of the invention. The appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and alternative embodiments. It should be understood that the use of a singular indefinite or definite article (e.g., “a,” “an,” “the,” etc.) in this disclosure and in the following claims follows the traditional approach in patents of meaning “at least one” unless in a particular instance it is clear from context that the term is intended in that particular instance to mean specifically one and only one. Likewise, the term “comprising” is open ended, not excluding additional items, features, components, etc.