Abstract:
A fingernail cleaning apparatus ( 10 ), comprising: a chamber ( 60 ) into which fingernails ( 44 ) of a user are placed; a compressor ( 22 ), for generating a jet ( 42 ) of abrasive powder ( 40 ); and a first nozzle ( 30 ), for directing the abrasive powder jet ( 42 ) onto a front side of the fingernails ( 44 ) when placed in the chamber ( 60 ); thereby allowing cleaning the front side of the fingernails ( 44 ) and/or roughening the front side of the fingernails ( 44 ) by the abrasive powder ( 40 ) as a preceding step for applying nail polish.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to the field of nail polishing. More particularly, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for cleaning the nails prior to polishing 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0002]    “Nail polish is a lacquer applied to human finger to decorate and protect the nail plate. Today&#39;s nail polish is a refined version similar to the paint on vehicles. However, its formula has been revised repeatedly to prevent the cracking or flaking that occurs with the natural movement of the nail. 
         [0003]    Nail polish is removed with nail polish remover or nail pads, which is an organic solvent, but may also include oils, scents and coloring. Nail polish remover packages may include individual felt pads soaked in remover, a bottle of liquid remover that can be used with a cotton ball or cotton pad, and even containers filled with foam that can be used by inserting a finger into the container and twisting until the polish comes off. 
         [0004]    The most common type of nail polish remover contains the volatile organic compound acetone. It is powerful and effective.”(from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nail_polish) 
         [0005]    However, the polish removers are disadvantaged in that the acetone is harsh on skin and nails, which makes them more brittle, and is toxic. 
         [0006]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for cleaning the nails, and in particular, removing nail polish, without chemical compounds. 
         [0007]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for conveniently polishing fingernails, including replacing a present layer. 
         [0008]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a solution to the above-mentioned and other problems of the prior art. 
         [0009]    Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a fingernail cleaning apparatus ( 10 ), comprising:
       a chamber ( 60 ) into which fingernails ( 44 ) of a user are placed;   a compressor ( 22 ), for generating a jet ( 42 ) of abrasive powder ( 40 ); and   a first nozzle ( 30 ), for directing the abrasive powder jet ( 42 ) onto fingernails ( 44 ) when placed in the chamber ( 60 );
 
thereby allowing cleaning the fingernails ( 44 ) by the abrasive powder jet ( 42 ) without scattering the abrasive powder ( 40 ).
       
 
         [0014]    The fingernail cleaning apparatus ( 10 ) may further comprise:
       a guiding structure ( 18 ,  38 ), for guiding the first nozzle ( 30 ), for performing the directing of the abrasive powder jet ( 42 ) onto the fingernails ( 44 ),
 
thereby accurately blowing the abrasive powder ( 42 ) onto the fingernails ( 44 ) only.
       
 
         [0016]    The guiding structure ( 18 ,  38 ) may comprise:
       a track ( 18 ) for guiding the first nozzle ( 30 ) therealong.       
 
         [0018]    The guiding structure ( 18 ,  38 ) may comprise:
       a rigid stationary template ( 38 ) of a hand ( 26 ), for determining an accurate location of each fingernail ( 44 ).       
 
         [0020]    The guiding structure ( 18 ,  38 ) may further comprise:
       a rigid stationary template ( 38 ) of a hand ( 26 ), for determining an accurate location of each fingernail ( 44 ), wherein the rigid template ( 38 ) physically corresponds to the track ( 18 ).       
 
         [0022]    The physical correspondence of the rigid template ( 38 ) to the track ( 18 ) may comprise physical subsidiary tracks ( 18 A,  18 E) of the track ( 18 ), each being disposed above one subsidiary template ( 38 A,  38 E) of the template ( 38 ). 
         [0023]    The fingernail cleaning apparatus ( 10 ) may further comprise:
       a glove ( 26 ), for exposing the fingernails ( 44 ) only, thereby protecting the user from the abrasive powder ( 42 ).       
 
         [0025]    The fingernail cleaning apparatus ( 10 ) may further comprise:
       a liquid dispenser ( 50 ), for dispensing liquid ( 52 ) through the first nozzle ( 30 ),
 
thereby accurately dispensing the liquid ( 52 ) on the fingernail ( 44 ).
       
 
         [0027]    The fingernail cleaning apparatus ( 10 ) may further comprise:
       a liquid dispenser ( 50 ), for dispensing liquid ( 52 ); and   a second nozzle ( 54 ), for transferring the dispensed liquid ( 52 ) therethrough,
 
thereby accurately dispensing the liquid ( 52 ) on the fingernails ( 44 ).
       
 
         [0030]    The finger nail cleaning apparatus ( 10 ) may further comprise a closed course for the abrasive powder ( 42 ), 
         [0031]    thereby allowing re-using of the abrasive powder ( 42 ). 
         [0032]    In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a finger nail cleaning method, comprising the steps of:
       generating a jet ( 42 ) of abrasive powder ( 40 ); and   guiding a nozzle ( 30 ), for directing the abrasive powder jet ( 42 ) from       
 
         [0035]    the first nozzle ( 30 ) onto the finger nails ( 44 ), thereby accurately blowing the abrasive powder ( 42 ) onto the finger nails ( 44 ). 
         [0036]    The method may further comprise the steps of:
       guiding ( 18 ,  38 ) a nozzle ( 30 ,  54 ) to the finger nails of the user; and   dispensing liquid ( 52 ) from the second nozzle ( 54 ) onto the finger nails, for polishing thereof.       
 
         [0039]    The reference numbers have been used to point out elements in the embodiments described and illustrated herein, in order to facilitate the understanding of the invention. They are meant to be merely illustrative, and not limiting. Also, the foregoing embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated in conjunction with systems and methods thereof, which are meant to be merely illustrative, and not limiting. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0040]    Preferred embodiments, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention are described herein in conjunction with the following drawings: 
           [0041]      FIG. 1  is a cross-section view of a fingernail cleaning apparatus, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0042]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the fingernail cleaning apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0043]      FIG. 3  is a front perspective cross-section view of the fingernail cleaning apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0044]      FIG. 4  is a top perspective cross-section view of the fingernail cleaning apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0045]      FIG. 5  depicts the fingernail cleaning apparatus of  FIG. 1 , also including a liquid dispenser. 
       
    
    
       [0046]    It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. 
       DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0047]    The present invention will be understood from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments (“best mode”), which are meant to be descriptive and not limiting. For the sake of brevity, some well-known features, methods, systems, procedures, components, circuits, and so on, are not described in detail. 
         [0048]    The term “abrasive powder” refers herein to small particles of a material, often a mineral, such as alumina, used to shape or finish a workpiece through rubbing. The workpiece for the present invention is the fingernail. 
         [0049]    The term “abrasive blasting” or “sand blasting” refers herein to the operation of forcibly propelling a stream of an abrasive powder against a surface under high pressure to smooth a rough surface, roughen a smooth surface, shape a surface, or remove surface contaminants. A pressurized fluid, typically air, commonly is used to propel the abrasive material. 
         [0050]      FIG. 1  is a cross-section view of a fingernail cleaning apparatus, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0051]    A fingernail cleaning apparatus  10  according to the present invention cleans the fingernails  44  by abrasive blasting. A compressor  22  blows a jet  42  of abrasive powder  40  from a nozzle  30  towards a fingernail  44 . 
         [0052]    Compressor  22  may blow abrasive powder  40  either by pressure blast equipment or by suction (siphon) blast equipment using the Venturi principle (both described in http:/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abrasive_blasting). 
         [0053]    The abrasive powder  40 , after rubbing fingernails  44  by jet  42 , may fall down through perforations disposed below fingernails  44 , for being re-used by a closed course, as depicted by the arrows. 
         [0054]    The act of blowing a jet  42  of abrasive powder  40  onto fingernails  44  is a “clean” process, as the abrasive powder  40  does not scatter, as the process is conducted within a closed chamber  60 . The opening of the chamber, through which the hand  26  is inserted, is closed by hand  26  and a springy cover  32  pressing it. 
         [0055]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the fingernail cleaning apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0056]    Fingernail cleaning apparatus  10  includes a guiding structure for limiting the available locations of nozzle  30 , for ensuring that nozzle  30  blows abrasive powder jet  42  on the fingernails  44  only. 
         [0057]    According to one embodiment, the guiding structure includes a track  18 , for guiding nozzle  30 , such that nozzle  30  is limited to being moved therealong only. Track  18  includes subsidiary tracks, namely  18 A,  18 E, and others, each for allowing nozzle  30  to be located against one finger; and a main sub-track  58 , for guiding nozzle  30  from one subsidiary ( 18 A,  18 E) to another. The guiding may be manual or motorized. 
         [0058]    According to one embodiment, compressor  22  is enabled only upon locating nozzle  30  at the end of a subsidiary track ( 18 A,  18 E). 
         [0059]      FIG. 3  is a front perspective cross-section view of the fingernail cleaning apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0060]    In order to ensure that track  18  indeed guides nozzle  30  to the fingernails  44  only, the guiding structure further limits fingernails  44  to pre-determined locations, by a stationary rigid template  38 , into which the user inserts the hand  26  thereof. Fingers template  38  includes subsidiary templates, namely  38 A,  38 E and others, each for inserting one finger therewithin, such that the fingernail  44  protrudes out. Template  38  is shaped like a glove having short finger covers. 
         [0061]    In addition, template  38  protects the fingers of the user. 
         [0062]      FIG. 4  is a top perspective cross-section view of the fingernail cleaning apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0063]    Track  18  is shaped and disposed against fingers template  38 , for providing correspondence therebetween, in that each fingernail  44  is disposed under an end of a subsidiary track ( 18 A,  18 E). 
         [0064]      FIG. 5  depicts the fingernail cleaning apparatus of  FIG. 1 , including also a liquid dispenser. 
         [0065]    Fingernail cleaning apparatus  10  may further include a lacquer dispenser or any other liquid dispenser, for accurately dispensing lacquer  52  or any other liquid on the fingernails. 
         [0066]    Whereas compressor  22  is connected to nozzle  30  through a pipe  16 , a liquid dispenser  50 , which may constitute a second compressor  50  or a manual pump, may dispense, through a second pipe  56 , nail lacquer  52  or any other liquid or nail polish to nozzle  30 . Nozzle  30 , moving within track  18 , may accurately dispense liquid  52  onto the fingernails. 
         [0067]    According to another embodiment, a handle  12  of nozzle  30  may be removed from track  18 , for inserting a second nozzle  54  thereinto. 
         [0068]    In the figures and/or description herein, the following reference numerals (Reference Signs List) have been mentioned:
       numeral  10  denotes a fingernail cleaning apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention;   numeral  12  denotes a handle of the nozzle;   numeral  14  denotes a switch for turning on the compressor;   numeral  16  denotes a pipe;   numeral  18  denotes a track;   numerals  18 A and  18 E denote subsidiary tracks, each corresponding to one finger;   numeral  20  denotes a leg, for supporting the funnel-shaped chamber; the chamber is shaped so for collecting the abrasive powder falling through perforations to the bottom of the chamber, below the hand of the user, for re-use;   numeral  22  denotes a compressor for blowing an abrasive powder;   numeral  26  denotes a hand of the user;   numeral  30  denotes a nozzle, for blowing the abrasive powder jet;   numeral  32  denotes a supporting element for the hand, which may also function as a side cover for preventing exit of the abrasive powder;   numeral  38  denotes a glove having short sleeves for the fingers, for exposing the fingernails and for protecting the other regions of the hand; according to one embodiment, the glove is rigid and stationary, for limiting each fingernail to a limited location, for ensuring the accurate location of the abrasive blasting and of the lacquer/polish dispensing;   numeral denotes an abrasive powder, such as sand, alumina or other;   numeral  42  denotes a jet of the abrasive powder;   numeral  44  denotes a fingernail;   numeral  48  denotes a switch for turning on the liquid dispenser;   numeral  50  denotes a liquid dispenser;   numeral  52  denotes a nail polish or other liquid;   numeral  54  denotes another nozzle;   numeral  56  denotes another pipe;   numeral  58  denotes a main sub-track of the track, for guiding the nozzle; and   numeral  60  denotes a chamber.       
 
         [0091]    In the description herein, the following references have been mentioned: 
         [0092]    The foregoing description and illustrations of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the above description in any form. 
         [0093]    Any term that has been defined above and used in the claims, should to be interpreted according to this definition. 
         [0094]    The reference numbers in the claims are not a part of the claims, but rather used for facilitating the reading thereof These reference numbers should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any form.