Quick tip nail cleaner

Abstract

A nail cleaning system for cleaning and disinfecting underneath one's nails. The nail cleaning system comprises an elongated member having a predetermined size and shape and a first and second end. At least one cleaning tip is located at the first end of the elongated member. The cleaning tip includes a unique styled head which has both a rounded portion and a pointed tip located adjacent the rounded portion for cleaning underneath the rounded portion of the nail and the quick portion where the skin meets the nail. A liquid retaining material is located on at least a portion of the at least one cleaning tip. A cleaning and/or disinfecting solution is provided within the liquid retaining material such that the cleaning solution, in combination with the cleaning tip, is capable of thoroughly removing dirt and germs underneath nails.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/657,683 filed Mar. 1, 2005.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to a nail cleaning system and, more particularly, to a nail cleaning system including a uniquely designed head having a cleaning solution included therein to effectively clean and disinfect beneath the tips of one's nails.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

People's hands encounter a variety of environments is a given day. These different environments often lead to dirt, grime, and germs that can become embedded underneath one's fingernails. Most people find that standard nail files and/or nailbrushes do not completely clean underneath their nails. Often certain areas of the nail are hard to reach with these types of nail cleaners. Other types of nail cleaning devices as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,397,853; 6,016,812; 5,755,240; 5,355,545; and 4,258,734 are more effective in cleaning underneath nails than conventional nail files, however, these devices are often unwieldy and are not readily available when one is away from home. Additionally, any germs that may be present under the nail are not always removed by these devices.

Thus, there is a need in the art for a nail cleaning system that is portable and convenient to use and contains a cleaning/disinfecting solution to remove unwanted germs. There is also a need in the art for a nail cleaning system that includes a unique head that can reach areas of the nail that standard nail filed cannot.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a nail cleaning system that effectively removes dirt and grime from underneath one's nails.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a nail cleaning system that disinfects underneath one's nails.

It is another object of the invention to provide a nail cleaning system that is portable and convenient to use at any location.

It is still yet another object of the invention to provide a nail cleaning system that can reach areas of the nail that a standard nail file cannot.

In addition to the various objects and advantages of the invention which have been described in some specific detail above it should be noted that various other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing Figures and with the appended claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, and in accordance with the forgoing objectives, the invention comprises a nail cleaning system for cleaning and disinfecting underneath one's nails. The nail cleaning system comprises an elongated member having a predetermined size and shape and a first and second end. At least one cleaning tip is located at the first end of the elongated member. The cleaning tip includes a unique styled head which has both a rounded portion and a pointed tip located adjacent the rounded portion for cleaning underneath the rounded portion of the nail and the quick portion where the skin meets the nail. A liquid retaining material is located on at least a portion of the at least one cleaning tip. A cleaning and/or disinfecting solution is provided within the liquid retaining material such that the cleaning solution, in combination with the cleaning tip, is capable of thoroughly removing dirt and germs underneath nails.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a top view of the nail cleaning system of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a plurality of the nail cleaning systems of FIG. 1 enclosed within a packet for carrying.

FIG. 3 shows a container for packaging a plurality of packets enclosing the nail cleaning systems of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Prior to proceeding to a more detailed description of the invention, it should be noted that identical components having identical functions have been designated with identical reference numerals for the sake of clarity.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a nail cleaning system, generally illustrated 10, for cleaning and disinfecting underneath one's nails. The nail cleaning system comprises an elongated member 12 having a predetermined size and shape. The elongated member 12 includes a first 14 and second 16 end. At least one cleaning tip, generally indicated 18, is located at the first end 14 of the elongated member 12. The cleaning tip 18 includes a unique styled head which has both a rounded portion 20 and a pointed tip 22 located adjacent the rounded portion 20 for cleaning underneath the rounded portion of the nail and the quick portion where the skin meets the nail. A liquid retaining material 24 is located on at least a portion of the at least one cleaning tip 18. A cleaning solution 26 is provided within the liquid retaining material such that the cleaning solution, in combination with the cleaning tip 18, is capable of thoroughly removing dirt and germs underneath nails.

The second end 16 of the elongated member 12 may also include a second cleaning tip, generally indicated 28. This second cleaning tip also includes a liquid retaining material 34 and a cleaning solution 36 within said liquid retaining material 34. The second cleaning tip 28 can also include the uniquely styled head which has both a rounded portion 30 and a pointed tip 32 located adjacent the rounded portion 30 for cleaning underneath the rounded portion of the nail and the quick portion where the skin meets the nail.

The liquid retaining material 24, 34 comprises an absorbent material. Any well known absorbent material may be used to form the liquid retaining material 24, 34 such as cloth, cotton, plastic, and the like.

A variety of cleaning solutions 26, 36 may be used on the liquid retaining material. These cleaning solutions may comprise one of an antibacterial material, antibiotic, antibiotic ointment, and alcohol. Additionally, different cleaning solutions may be used on either end of the elongated member. For example, a cleaning material may be used at the first cleaning tip 18 for cleaning and an antibacterial material may be used at an opposite end, or the second cleaning tip 28, for disinfecting underneath the nail. Alternatively, an antibacterial material or alcohol could be placed on the first cleaning tip 18 for disinfecting and an antibiotic ointment may be placed on the second cleaning tip 28 for treating abrasions and/or cuts underneath the nail. One having ordinary skill in the art would recognize that a variety of nail cleaning systems may be provided for a variety of cleaning and disinfecting purposes.

The elongated member 12 has a predetermined size and shape such that a user can easily grasp it within one's hand and manipulate it to clean under one's nails. This elongated member 18 also has a size and shape that is capable of easily fitting within one's pocket. Preferably, the elongated member 12 is flat and has a thickness of approximately 1/32″ and a length, including the head or cleaning tip 18, of approximately 2½″. The width of the elongated member is approximately ¼″ and the width of the head or cleaning tip 18 is approximately ½″. One having ordinary skill in the art would recognize that these sizes are approximate and can be varied as needed.

The elongated member can be formed from a variety of well known materials such as plastic, wood, hard packed fibrous material and the like.

As shown in FIG. 2, the elongated members 12 may be packaged in an airtight re-sealable packet 38. This airtight packet 38 can be formed from any well-known material such as aluminum foil, a flexible plastic container, and the like. Closing means 40, such as a zip type seal, should be provided for resealing the packets after removal of an elongated member 12 to prevent drying out of the solution containing cleaning tips 18, 28. A plurality of elongated members 12 may be contained within this re-sealable packet.

As shown in FIG. 3, a pocket-sized container 42 may be provided which can include a plurality of packets 38 therein. For example, each packet 38 can include eight elongated members 12 and each container 42 can include five packets 38 for a total of forty cleaners. A variety of sized containers 42 and packets 38 may be produced as needed for marketing purposes.

One having ordinary skill in the art would recognize that the nail cleaning system of the invention may be used for cleaning and disinfecting both fingernails and toenails. Also, this system would be capable of cleaning underneath artificial nails.

The invention has been described in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms so as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same. It should be understood that variations, modifications, equivalents and substitutions for components of the specifically described embodiments of the invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. Persons who possess such skill will also recognize that the foregoing description is merely illustrative and not intended to limit any of the ensuing claims to any particular narrow interpretation.

Claims

1. A nail cleaning system for cleaning underneath ones nails, said nail cleaning system comprising:

(a) an elongated member having a predetermined size and shape, said elongated member having a first and second end;

(b) at least a first cleaning tip located at said first end of said elongated member;

(c) liquid retaining material located on at least a portion of said at least one cleaning tip; and

(d) cleaning solution located within said liquid retaining material, said cleaning solution, in combination with said cleaning tip, capable of thoroughly removing dirt and germs underneath nails.

2. A nail cleaning system as recited in claim 1 wherein said liquid retaining material comprises an absorbent material.

3. A nail cleaning system as recited in claim 1 wherein said cleaning solution comprises one of antibacterial material, antibiotic, and alcohol.

4. A nail cleaning system as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least a first cleaning tip includes a rounded portion that is capable of cleaning underneath the rounded portion of one's nail.

5. A nail cleaning system as recited in claim 4 wherein said at least a first cleaning tip includes a pointed portion adjacent to said rounded portion, said pointed portion capable of fitting underneath one's nail where such nail meets with one's skin.

6. A nail cleaning system as recited in claim 1 wherein said elongated member includes a second cleaning tip at said second end.

7. A nail cleaning system as recited in claim 6 wherein said second cleaning tip located at said second end includes a liquid retaining material and cleaning solution within said liquid retaining material.

8. A nail cleaning system as recited in claim 7 wherein said cleaning solution comprises one of antibacterial material, antibiotic, and alcohol.

9. A nail cleaning system as recited in claim 6 wherein said second cleaning tip includes a rounded portion that is capable of cleaning underneath the rounded portion of one's nail.

10. A nail cleaning system as recited in claim 9 wherein said second cleaning tip includes a pointed portion adjacent to said rounded portion, said pointed portion capable of fitting underneath one's nail where such nail meets with one's skin.

11. A nail cleaning system as recited in claim 1 wherein said predetermined size and shape of said elongated member is such that a user can easily grasp it within one's hand and manipulate it to clean under one's nails.

12. A nail cleaning system as recited in claim 1 wherein said elongated member is flat and has a thickness of approximately 1/32″ and a length of approximately 2½″.

13. A nail cleaning system as recited in claim 1 wherein said elongated member has a size and shape that is capable of easily fitting within one's pocket.

14. A nail cleaning system as recited in claim 1 wherein said elongated member is formed from one of plastic, wood, and hard packed fibrous material.

15. A nail cleaning system as recited in claim 1 including an airtight re-sealable packet for holding at least one elongated member.

16. A nail cleaning system as recited in claim 15 wherein said airtight container comprises one of an aluminum foil and flexible plastic packet.

17. A nail cleaning system as recited in claim 7 wherein said liquid retaining material on said first cleaning tip includes a first cleaning solution and said liquid retaining material on said second cleaning tip includes a second cleaning solution.

18. A nail cleaning system for cleaning underneath ones nails, said nail cleaning system comprising:

(a) an elongated member having a predetermined size and shape, said elongated member having a first and second end;

(b) at least a first cleaning tip located at said first end of said elongated member;

(c) a first rounded portion formed on said at least first cleaning tip, said rounded portion capable of cleaning underneath the rounded portion of one's nail; and

(d) a first pointed portion adjacent to said rounded portion, said pointed portion capable of fitting underneath one's nail where such nail meets with one's skin.

19. A nail cleaning system as recited in claim 18 wherein said elongated member includes a second cleaning tip at said second end and wherein said second cleaning tip includes a second rounded portion and a second pointed portion adjacent to said second round portion.

20. A nail cleaning system as recited in claim 19 wherein said first and second cleaning tip includes a cleaning solution located thereon for thoroughly removing dirt and germs underneath nails.