Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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10 GROOMING COMPONENT
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to the field of grooming devices.
BACKGROUND
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 ArmyO knife may also
include numerous grooming
accessories, such as a nail file, toothpick or the lilce.
The problem with these devices is that they are dedicated multifunction
devices which have only relatively
?5 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.
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A multifunction tool which addresses many of the above problems is disclosed
in my earlier United States
Patent Number 5,090,427 issued on February 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
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
?0 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.
?5
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
30 efficiencies of the invention.
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 is to 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,
s5 the inventive component is difficult to notice. Moreover, the same is
lightweight, being made of plastic in
accordance with the preferred embodiment, and inexpensive.
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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
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:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a nail care component constructed in
accordance with the
present invention;
Figure 2 is a plan view of the nail care component illustrated in Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view along lines 3-3 of Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view along lines 4-4;
Figure 5 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the
present invention suitable for
heat staking;
Figure 6 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the
present invention with a
widened portion;
ZO Figure 7 is a plan view of an alternative widened embodiment
of the present invention;
Figure 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;
Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view along lines 9-9 of Figure 8;
?5 Figure 10 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present
invention with
a hinged closure;
Figure 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;
Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view along lines 12-12 of Figure 1 l;
30 Figure 13 is an exploded perspective of an alternative embodiment of the
present invention;
Figure 14 is a plan view of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in
Figure 13;
Figure 15 is a view along lines 15-15 of Figure 14;
Figure 16 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the inventive
component
adapted to be slipped over a pen cap or cosmetic cap;
45 Figure 17 is a plan view of the component of Figure 16;
Figure 18 is a side plan view of the component of Figure 16;
Figure 19 is an end view of the component of Figure 16 along lines 19-19 of
Figure 17;
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Figure 20 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the inventive
component
adapted to be clipped onto a pen cap or cosmetic cap;
Figure 21 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present
invention with
a hinged closure;
Figure 22 is an end view of the component of Figure 21 in the open position;
Figure 23 is an end view of the component of Figure 21 in the closed position;
and
Figure 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
Referring to Figures 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.
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.
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 baclc a small portion of a
cuticle with precision in order
to address relatively localized cosmetic or aesthetic concerns.
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 Figures 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,
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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.
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.
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 Figure 1.
Still another alternative is the provision of a component 110 (Figure 5)
incorporating posts 128 which
?0 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.
As alluded to above, the present invention provides a self contained,
multipurpose nail care tool which can
?5 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,
>0 cosmetic bottle caps, compacts, lip gloss, anti-chapping sticks, cuticle
cream pencils, nail polish bottles,
higher quality refillable office pens, tweezers, lcey 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
.5 wide range of products renders exploration and fulfillment of such a wide
range of prospective consumer
needs and desires possible.
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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 die cast 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.
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.
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.
While the inventive component 10 may be made in a wide range of sizes, it is
contemplated that the
component illustrated in Figure 1 will be between 2.5 and 5 mm thick, have a
length of 5 and 7.5 cm and a
width of approximately .6 cm.
Further in accordance with the preferred embodiment, it is contemplated that a
clip on cover 30 (Figure 4)
may be used to protect the abrasive from becoming fouled or damaged.
Referring to Figure 6, an alternative embodiment of the inventive component
210 having a wide rear
portion 236 is illustrated. In accordance with the embodiment illustrated in
Figure 6, added material at the
wide rear portion 236 provides for extra adhesive power.
Figure 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.
Referring to Figures 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
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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.
Refernng to Figure 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 Figure 10, as an alternative to both of them being
provided as illustrated in
Figure 10. Moreover, either of these tools may be provided in either the
recess 514 or the lid 530.
It is noted that the inventive grooming component 510 illustrated in Figure 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.
Still another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figures 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.
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 Figures 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.
Referring to Figures 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
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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 den clips to pen caps.
Figure 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.
Figures 21-23 illustrates an embodiment of the inventive grooming component
1010 similar to that of
Figure 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
Figures 16-19. Figure 22
shows the cap 1030 in the open position. Figure 23 shows the cap 1030 in the
closed position.
Figure 24 illustrates an embodiment of the inventive grooming device 1110
including a pair of square
hoops 1138 and 1140.
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.
