Abstract:
A nail grooming device suitable for incorporation in other products and comprising a support base is disclosed. A nail cleaning tip is defined on the base. A cuticle pusher is defined on the base. An abrasive member is secured to the base. An attachment member is also secured to the base.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to the field of grooming devices.  
         BACKGROUND  
         [0002]    Multifunction and miniaturized grooming devices have been known for many years. Perhaps, the most popular of these devices is a compact combination nail clipper, nail file and cuticle pusher of the type including a rotatable lever arm that may be pulled up and rotated, from a compact storage position, to ready the device for the nail-clipping function, and a nail file which rotates into the use position. More general tools, of the type often referred to as a Swiss Army™ knife may also include numerous grooming accessories, such as a nail file, toothpick or the like.  
           [0003]    The problem with these devices is that they are dedicated multifunction devices which have only relatively infrequent application. Accordingly, few men carry Swiss Army type knives about with them. Notwithstanding the fact that many women carry relatively large handbags or pocketbooks with them, one encounters almost no women packing a Swiss Army knife. Even in the case of a pocketbook, frequently used items tend to edge out marginal items such as nail grooming accessories. Thus, a woman who is concerned with limiting the weight of a handbag will, nevertheless, pack such items as a pen, a change purse, eyeshadow, face powder, lipstick, mirror, business cards, a cell phone and an electronic organizer. Such items as nail files, cuticle pushers and fingernail cleaning tools are comparatively unlikely to find a place in the handbag, where weight and space are at a premium. Moreover, even though fingernails are often damaged and scratched, particularly in the case of longer nails, the natural human tendency to discount and not face the reality of the likelihood of such an unpleasant experience results in items such as fingernail files being left behind. Moreover, such files often take the form of a relatively large “orangeboard” which can do damage to other items in the handbag, as well as be damaged itself and, consequently, fall apart creating a messy situation inside the handbag.  
           [0004]    A multifunction tool which addresses many of the above problems is disclosed in my earlier U.S. Pat. No. 5,090,427 issued on Feb. 25, 1992 and entitled Finger Groomer Attachment for Writing Instruments. In that patent, a multifunction tool, which is incorporated into a pen cap, is disclosed. The advantage of that approach is that a cuticle pusher, nail file and fingernail cleaning implement are incorporated into a pen cap. The tip of the pen cap comprises a cuticle pusher. The pen cap includes a clip which allows the pen to be clipped into, for example, a shirt pocket. The tip of the clip comprises a fingernail cleaning implement. The side of the clip is provided with a fingernail file. Moreover, all of these features of the invention are provided with almost no added payload in space or weight.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    However, the above multifunction pen cap suffers from the disadvantage of requiring special tooling in order to implement a multifunctional space and weight saving pen. Moreover, pens come in a wide variety of styles and qualities and are sold by a wide range of retailers and wholesalers. Oftentimes, it is difficult to predict whether a particular pen being sold by a particular source incorporating grooming features will be popular. Thus, the commercial implementation of products incorporating grooming tools involves substantial investment and risk. In addition, determining consumer preferences in a wide range of possible embodiments of implementing such multifunction devices involves even more substantial investment and risk.  
           [0006]    In accordance with the invention, the above-identified difficulties are effectively addressed in the context of a grooming device subsystem adapted for inclusion in numerous devices at minimal cost and with a high degree of customizable application. In addition, the present invention will accommodate a range of consumer preferences and has flexibility of implementation, while still maintaining the commercial efficiencies of the invention.  
           [0007]    Further in accordance with present invention a multipurpose grooming tool is provided which is portable, small and easy carry in the smallest of purses. The same isto discrete and does not make the product with which it is associated look any different from other products of the type with which it is associated. Thus, the inventive component is difficult to notice. Moreover, the same is lightweight, being made of plastic in accordance with the preferred embodiment, and inexpensive.  
           [0008]    In addition, the present invention allows such implementation in a wide array of devices, in many cases without the need for new tooling.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]    The above and other objects and advantages of the invention will become an apparent from the following description, which illustrate only several embodiments of the invention, and in which:  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a nail care component constructed in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 2 is a plan view of the nail care component illustrated in FIG. 1;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along lines  3 - 3  of FIG. 2;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view along lines  4 - 4 ;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 5 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention suitable for heat staking;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 6 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention with a widened portion;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 7 is a plan view of an alternative widened embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of an alternative environment of the present invention particularly adapted to be associated with a pen cap having a metal pen clip;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view along lines  9 - 9  of FIG. 8;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention with a hinged closure;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention with a concave cuticle pusher to match the curved surface of the nail;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view along lines  12 - 12  of FIG. 11;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective of an alternative embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 14 is a plan view of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 13;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 15 is a view along lines  15 - 15  of FIG. 14;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the inventive component adapted to be slipped over a pen cap or cosmetic cap;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 17 is a plan view of the component of FIG. 16;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 18 is a side plan view of the component of FIG. 16;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 19 is an end view of the component of FIG. 16 along lines  19 - 19  of FIG. 17;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 20 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the inventive component adapted to be clipped onto a pen cap or cosmetic cap;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention with a hinged closure;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 22 is an end view of the component of FIG. 21 in the open position;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 23 is an end view of the component of FIG. 21 in the closed position; and  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 24 is a perspective view of an inventive component adapted to be secured to a square object, such as a pen with a square cross-section.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0034]    Referring to FIGS.  1 - 4 , a nail care component  10 , constructed in accordance with the present invention, is illustrated. Nail care component  10  comprises a base  12 . Base  12  defines a recessed cavity or trough  14  which is configured and dimensioned to receive an abrasive strip  16 . Abrasive strip  16  may be made with a relatively abrasive material exposed on its top surface  18 , thus allowing the inventive nail care component to function as a nail file. Alternatively, a relatively unaggressive abrasive may be exposed at surface  18  and the function fulfilled by abrasive strip  16  will be more in the realm of a nail buffer.  
         [0035]    At one end of nail care component  10 , base  12  defines an end portion of nail care component  10  which forms a cuticle pusher  20 . In accordance with the preferred embodiments, cuticle pusher  20  has a round configuration, allowing the definition of smooth round shapes in the cuticle, as it is worked by the cuticle pusher  20 .  
         [0036]    At the opposite end of nail care component  10 , base  12  defines an end portion of nail care component  10  which forms a nail cleaner  22 . Nail cleaner  22  is relatively sharp compared to cuticle pusher  20  and thus functions effectively to remove dirt, debris, grease or other materials from underneath the fingernails. In addition, nail cleaner  22  may also be used to push back a small portion of a cuticle with precision in order to address relatively localized cosmetic or aesthetic concerns.  
         [0037]    In accordance with the invention, it is contemplated that a wide variety of structures and materials may be used to adhere the inventive component  10  to another device. The same may simply take the form of a simple layer of adhesive  24 . In FIGS. 3 and 4, the thickness of layer of adhesive  24  is greatly exaggerated for purposes of clarity of illustration. Also in accordance with the present invention, other structures and materials is for adhering the inventive component  10  to another device. For example, repositionable hook and loop systems, such as those sold under the trademark Velcro, may be used with, for example, the hook material adhered to the bottom of component  10  and the loop material adhered to the surface to which component  10  is to be secured.  
         [0038]    Still another alternative is the molding of ribs into the underside  26  in order to provide structure for melting to form a weld, or structure which can be used to engage a heat activated adhesive such as the type applied using a heated glue gun. Ribs may also be used to provide plastic ribs for ultrasonic welding in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0039]    In accordance with the invention, the inventive component may take a number of forms which are illustrated by the alternative embodiments illustrated below. In these alternative embodiments, parts performing similar, like or otherwise similar or analogous functions, are numbered with numbers which are multiples of 100 different from corresponding parts in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1.  
         [0040]    Still another alternative is the provision of a component  110  (FIG. 5) incorporating posts  128  which extend through the outer shell  134  or housing of an object to which it is to be secured, allowing the tips  130  of posts  128  to be melted, compressed and radially expanded, thus acting like nail heads to secure the inventive component  110  in place.  
         [0041]    As alluded to above, the present invention provides a self-contained, multipurpose nail care tool which can be implemented into any of thousands of products to give them added functionality and value. Moreover, this can be done without the need for special tooling specific to each product. However, in accordance with the present invention, it is contemplated that a small number of alternative embodiments of the present invention will suffice to accommodate a large variety of products. It is contemplated that these products will range from writing pens, pencils, nail care implements, cosmetic pencils, cosmetic pens, cosmetic bottle caps, compacts, lip gloss, anti-chapping sticks, cuticle cream pencils, nail polish bottles, higher quality refillable office pens, tweezers, key rings, coffee cups, nail clippers, finger rings and lipstick housings. While this list of products is only partial, it illustrates the wide variety of products with which the invention may be used. Moreover, while some of these products may not be popular with consumers, some unexpected ones may be popular, and the ability of the invention to be inexpensively adapted to a wide range of products renders exploration and fulfillment of such a wide range of prospective consumer needs and desires possible.  
         [0042]    In accordance with the invention, it is also contemplated that the base  12  of the inventive component  10  will be made by injection molding plastic into a suitable mold. In accordance with the preferred embodiment, base  12  is made of polypropylene. Alternatively, conventional fabrication techniques may be used to manufacture a diecast metal body. In either case, in accordance with the preferred embodiments, a recessed cavity will be defined to hold and protect the nail file, although construction without this feature is possible particularly in the case of relatively robust nail file materials forming abrasive strip  16 . Materials forming abrasive strip  16  may range from carbide abrasive paper, to sandpaper and metal engraved with a file surface.  
         [0043]    While a wide range of abrasive materials will be used, in accordance with the preferred embodiment, silicon carbide abrasive nail file material, available in the market, is used. The same is adhered into the recessed cavity using an acrylic adhesive.  
         [0044]    It is also contemplated by the present invention that the point of the nail cleaner  22  may be relatively sharp or rounded, depending upon the strength of the material of which base  12  is made and other concerns of a conventional nature.  
         [0045]    While the inventive component  10  may be made in a wide range of sizes, it is contemplated that the component illustrated in FIG. 1 will be between 2.5 and 5 mm thick, have a length of 5 and 7.5 cm and a width of approximately 0.6 cm.  
         [0046]    Further in accordance with the preferred embodiment, it is contemplated that a clip on cover  30  (FIG. 4) may be used to protect the abrasive from becoming fouled or damaged.  
         [0047]    Referring to FIG. 6, an alternative embodiment of the inventive component  210  having a wide rear portion  236  is illustrated. In accordance with the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, added material at the wide rear portion  236  provides for extra adhesive power.  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of the inventive component  310  in which the entire device is widened to provide additional surface area for adhering to another device.  
         [0049]    Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, an embodiment of the invention particularly well adapted to be associated with a pen cap of the type found on rolling ball or razor point felt tip type markers is illustrated. More particularly, in accordance with the invention, multipurpose grooming component  410  comprises a cuticle pusher  420  and a nail cleaning tip  422 . The same includes a pair of tracks  438  and  440 , which are adapted to engage a metal pen clip  442  on a pen cap  444 . Component  410  further comprises a stud  446  which snaps into a hole  448  on pen clip  442 , locking component  410  in place on pen clip  442 .  
         [0050]    Referring to FIG. 10, an alternative embodiment of an inventive grooming component  510  is illustrated in perspective. Component  510  includes cuticle pusher  520  and nail cleaner tip  522 . A nail file  518  is glued within a recess  514 . In this embodiment, a nail buffer  550  is secured to a lid  530  by a living hinge portion  552 . In this embodiment, component  510  is made of a flexible plastic material which allows hinge  552  to flex, allowing lid  532  to rotate about living hinge  552  in the direction generally indicated by arrow  554 . It is noted that, alternatively, only either a buffer or an abrasive file may be provided in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10, as an alternative to both of them being provided as illustrated in FIG. 10. Moreover, either of these tools may be provided in either the recess  514  or the lid  530 .  
         [0051]    It is noted that the inventive grooming component  510  illustrated in FIG. 10 includes a surface  556 , which has the form of a portion of the cylinder, and thus is adapted to mate with cylindrical surfaces, such as the cap of a pen or nail polish bottle or a nail polish bottle cap.  
         [0052]    Still another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12. Grooming component  610  includes a nail file  616 , a cuticle pusher  620  and a nail cleaning tip  622 . Cuticle pusher  620  includes a concave surface  656  adapted to match the convex surface of a nail. Grooming component  610  also has a cylindrical surface  656  adapted to be securely adhered to a cylindrical surface such as a pen cap or lipstick case.  
         [0053]    If desired, additional functionality can be built into the device while promoting ease-of-use by having a relatively high profile configuration which is illustrated by grooming component  710  in FIGS. 13 through 15. This embodiment is particularly useful for providing some space between the device being attached to the inventive tool and the operative surfaces of the cuticle pusher  720 , nail cleaner  722  and abrasive strip  716 .  
         [0054]    Referring to FIGS.  16 - 19 , grooming component  810  includes a nail file  816  made of engraved metal, a cuticle pusher  820  and a nail tip cleaning tool  822 . Grooming component  810  is typically adapted to be slipped over a pen cap, nail polish cap, lipstick cap or other cylindrical object, by the use of a pair of hoops  838  and  840  which snugly fit around and grip a cylindrical object  844 . Grooming component  810  may be secured in place by adhesive, or other artifice known in the art, such as the techniques used to secure similarly structured pen clips to pen caps.  
         [0055]    [0055]FIG. 20 illustrates an embodiment of the inventive grooming component  910  which includes a nail file  916  made of engraved metal, a cuticle pusher  920  and a nail tip cleaning tool  922 . Grooming component  910  is typically adapted to be clipped onto a pen cap, nail polish cap, lipstick cap or other cylindrical object, by the use of a pair of open hoops  938  and  940  which snugly fit around and grip a cylindrical object. Grooming component  910  may be secured in place by adhesive, or other artifice known in the art.  
         [0056]    FIGS.  21 - 23  illustrates an embodiment of the inventive grooming component  1010  similar to that of FIG. 10 with the exception that hinge takes the form of a pair of hinge elements  1052 , and the inclusion of a pair of hoops  1038  and  1040 , similar to the hoops in the embodiment of FIGS.  16 - 19 . FIG. 22 shows the cap  1030  in the open position. FIG. 23 shows the cap  1030  in the closed position.  
         [0057]    [0057]FIG. 24 illustrates an embodiment of the inventive grooming device  1110  including a pair of square hoops  1138  and  1140 .  
         [0058]    While an illustrative embodiment of the invention has been described, it is, of course, understood that various modifications will be obvious to those ordinary skill in the art. Such modifications are within the spirit and scope of the invention which is limited and defined only by the appended claims.