Disposable Nail Buffing Tool

Abstract

A disposable nail buffing tool with a holder for receiving a buffing block. The holder may be made of plastic, metal, graphite, or some other light weight and rigid material. The holder has a receptacle for receiving a buffing block. In one embodiment the sides of the receptacle are angled inwards, to grasp and hold the buffing block. The holder also has handles to facilitate holding and using the nail buffing tool. The buffing block is removably received in the receptacle of the holder. The buffing block is made of a compressible layer and one or more abrasive layers attached to the compressible layer. The compressible layer is made of foam or hard sponge. The abrasive layer may be sand paper glued to the compressible layer or as in one embodiment, directly sprayed onto the compressible layer.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]This invention generally relates to nail care products, and in particular to a disposable nail buffing tool for use with natural or artificial nails.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The cosmetic industry enjoyed unparalleled growth in recent years fueled by rising salaries and reduced leisure time. Nail salons are positively booming as people with more disposable income, find less and less time to take care of their beauty needs. Fortunately, they have utilized a part of their newfound wealth to patronize nail salons with greater frequency. A typical nail salon customer may visit their favorite salon every week for complete nail care.[0003]Complete nail care includes such services as trimming, shaping, smoothing, and finally polishing to perfection all twenty nails. This painstaking labor, which once took most of the afternoon, can now be done by a professional in less than twenty minutes. Saving time, getting perfect nails, and perhaps being pampered for...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]An aspect of the invention relates to a disposable nail buffing apparatus having two distinct components. A buffing block and a holder for the buffing block. The holder has an area sufficient to grasp and includes a receptacle for a buffing block. The holder may be made of a rigid plastic, metal, or composite material so long as it is light weight. In an exemplary embodiment the holder is made of a light weight rigid plastic. The holder may have ergonomic handles so that the nail buffing apparatus may be grasped firmly over a longer period of time. Furthermore, the exemplary holder is between 60-70 mm in length, 20-30 mm in width, and 30-40 mm in height. The size of the holder compliments the palm of a typical hand for added comfort and precise use.

[0013]In the exemplary embodiment the handles form the sides of the holder. The handles are higher, relative to the horizontal plane, than the middle of the holder, forming a saddle-like shape. This shape may allow the user to place one or two fingers into the depression enhancing control of the nail buffing apparatus during use. The edges of the holder, where a user would grasp the holder, are rounded. Not only does the rounded shape lend the apparatus aesthetic appeal, it may also serve a more practical purpose. Sharp edges bite into the hand causing pain and fatigue. More rounded edges may allow longer more comfortable use.

[0016]To reduce the cost of manufacture, in the exemplary embodiment, only one side of the compressible layer is covered with an abrasive layer, but it should be obvious to one skilled in the art that two or more surfaces coated or otherwise attached with an abrasive layer would not change the invention. The choice of using one abrasive surface, however, makes economic sense because most of the cost of manufacturing the buffing block is in creating the abrasive layer. Furthermore, in professional nail salons the invention may see only one use before being disposed of. More than one abrasive layer would therefore be a waste of money.

[0017]One of the novel traits of the invention is the size of the buffing block used. In the exemplary embodiment the buffing block is substantially smaller, and therefore less costly to make, than prior art. The exemplary buffing block is between 55-65 mm in length, 15-25 mm in width, and 5-15 mm in height. As mentioned previously, a small buffing block is hard to hold and over time may cause pain to the user. To overcome this problem, while retaining a cost effective size, the buffing block is removably attached to or removably placed into an ergonomic holder, such that the buffing block can generally be easily removed from the holder or easily attached to the holder.

[0018]As the title of the invention suggests, the exemplary embodiment is disposable. Specifically the buffing block part of the invention may be disposed of after each client. The holder part of the invention may be retained for the next customer. Simply disinfect the holder and pop a new buffing block into place. Disposing the buffing block is an effective way of complying with sanitary regulations. Using a new buffing block for each customer should reduce the risk of spreading a contagious skin disease. An additional benefit is less use of Barbersol or similar disinfectants, which emit hazardous fumes into the workplace.

[0019]The invention presents an elegant solution to the aforementioned problems.One objective met by this invention is providing a nail buffing that is comfortable to hold and use when shaping and polishing real and artificial nails.Another objective met by this invention is complying with various safety and sanitation codes requiring the disposal of buffing blocks and emery boards after each customer. Each buffing block is removable from the holder and a replacement easily installed.Still another objective met by this invention is reducing the cost of manufacturing the buffing block. Each buffing block may include only one abrasive layer as compared to the two or more found in the prior art. Furthermore each buffing block is significantly smaller than those in commercial use.

Problems solved by technology

Sharp edges bite into the hand causing pain and fatigue.

Images