HYGIENIC NAIL BRUSH
A nail brush comprising; a handle section; a plurality of bristles, each of said bristles having an attached end, connected to said handle section, and a free end; each free end positioned, relative to its neighbours, to collectively define an envelope partially enclosing a volume; wherein said volume is structured to receive a portion of at least one human digit extending from a digit tip substantially to an eponychium of said digit.
The present invention relates to a device for cleaning nails, in particular a brush for cleaning nails.
BACKGROUNDWe wash our hands many times a day with varying degrees of thoroughness. The nail, particularly the cuticle, hyponychium, and paronychium (the channel between the nail bed and finger), can provide traps for dirt and germs which usual hand washing procedures do not always eliminate. Devices are available to attend specifically to cleaning nails, for example small brushes have been developed directed to cleaning the nail. A standard nail brush, although effective for removal of dirt from between and around the nail plate and the finger, has a number of disadvantages. Firstly, the bristles present on the brush are normally of uniform length on a flat surface, which means that although the gap under the nail plate, the hyponychium, is cleaned, the surface of the nails, including the cuticle, the paronychium, and the finger tips, are not cleaned at the same time. A partial solution to this problem is found in GB678406, which discloses a nail brush with a groove cut into the bristles which is either V-shaped or segmental in cross-section. This allows for improved cleaning of the finger tips, but does not represent a complete solution to the problem.
This prior art arrangement also does not address another serious problem associated with conventional nail brushes, namely that the brushing action results in a spray of debris and in particular bacteria throughout the surrounding environment. This issue is of such importance that nail brushes are not allowed for example in neo-natal units, due to the risk of spread of infection.
It would be advantageous to have a nail brush which provided all round cleaning action for nails and finger tips, whilst at the same time ensures the containment of bacteria.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccordingly, in its broadest aspect, the invention a handle section, a plurality of bristles, each of said bristles having an attached end, connected to said handle section, and a free end, each free end positioned, relative to its neighbours, to collectively define an envelope partially enclosing a volume; wherein said volume is structured to receive a portion of at least one human digit extending from a digit tip substantially to an eponychium of said digit.
Optionally, the cross section of the volume is substantially the section of an obround.
Preferably, the brush comprises three sets of bristles, said attached ends of said bristles being located in planes set at an angle to each other.
Optionally, the volume comprises an arcuate channel.
Optionally, the volume is a spheroid section, shaped to receive a single finger.
Preferably, the nail brush comprises a cavity to contain soap or disinfectant.
Preferably the nail brush comprises flexible wall sections to allow dispensing of soap or disinfectant by application of pressure on the flexible sections.
Preferably the nail brush comprises a prime mover to power movement of the bristles.
Optionally, the nail brush comprises an ultraviolet lamp.
Optionally, the nail brush comprises an ultrasonic cleaner.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGSThe above and other aspects of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the following figures:
In its broadest aspect, the present invention provides for all-round cleaning of one or more human finger tips, for example a finger tip as shown in
An alternative embodiment of the invention is shown in
In both alternative embodiments, the first set of bristles 501 is located on the handle of the brush in a conventional way. The additional sets of bristles are located on side sections 504, 505 of the handle 205. The respective envelopes of bristle heads thus form respective volumes 406 which, although differently shaped, serves the same purpose as volume 302 in
The person skilled in the art will appreciate that there are alternative arrangements of bristles which will be equally effective. For example, in an alternative embodiment of the invention, illustrated in
A further embodiment of the invention is shown in
In a further embodiment of the invention, there is provided a reservoir, which may be used for containing soap for the convenience of the user, or, in the context of use of the nail brush for hospital hygiene, for disinfectant.
In another embodiment of the invention a flexible upper section, located on the opposite side to the bristles, is provided, wherein the user dispenses soap or disinfectant by pressure applied towards the fingers of the hand being cleaned. In a further embodiment, the entire handle section of the brush is constructed from flexible plastics material, forming a reservoir, allowing the user to squeeze the handle section in the palm of one hand to dispense soap or disinfectant onto the other hand, the hand being cleaned. The person skilled in the art will appreciate that many different arrangements, which fall within the scope of the invention, are possible, some of which include the flexible plastics section extending to a greater or lesser extent across the surface opposite to the bristles or along the side sections of the brush handle.
A major advantage of the triple action cleaning provided by the “all-round” nature of the bristles in the preferred embodiment of the present invention is that the nail cuticle is cleaned and nail growth is stimulated, enhancing nail shine. About 25% of adults will at some point in their lives have nail infections or similar problems and rigorous brushing of the nails will remove bacteria, fungi and other detritus from the nail plates. It also helps remove “pterygium”, excess cuticle growing over the nail plate.
The rigorous brushing of nails can be compared with the removal of plaque from teeth. An electric toothbrush is known to significantly increase oral hygiene by removing more plaque from teeth than brushing with an ordinary toothbrush. Likewise, brushing of nails can be improved by the use of a motorised nail brush.
Accordingly, in a further embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a motorised nail brush. A cross-sectional view of a motorised nail brush according to an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in
In addition to the physical removal of dirt and germs, two further hygiene techniques may be used to enhance cleaning. These are Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) and ultrasonic cleaning.
UVGI is a disinfection technique, used in a variety of applications, such as food, air and water purification, which uses short wavelength ultraviolet (UV) light to kill microorganisms. The UV light destroys the nucleic acids in microorganisms, so that their Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is disrupted, leaving the organisms unable to perform vital cellular functions. In a further embodiment of the invention, a UV lamp is included in the brush, to provide disinfection.
Ultrasonic cleaning uses high frequency (usually from 20-400 kHz) sound waves create agitation in water, which in turn removes contaminants from the surface of the item to be cleaned. In a further embodiment of the invention, the nail brush includes an ultrasonic cleaner.
The nail brush of the present invention may be used by a person as part of their general hygiene, or in industry or a caring environment to ensure proper and thorough hygiene is maintained. An individual wishing to clean their hands may first wash their hands as usual and then select the nail brush to clean their nails. One digit may be inserted into the volume enclosed by the free ends of the bristles and the nail brush moved in the plane of the nail plate, such that some bristles will be urged into the hyponychium in a brushing action to remove dirt, germs and general debris. Other bristles will brush against the cuticle, the eponychium, and the paronychium in a general cleaning action. The nail plate will also be polished by this action. The nail brush may then be moved to brush the bristles first against the nail plate and then against the soft portion of the finger opposite the nail plate in a further cleaning action.
The fingers may be entered into the volume one by one or all the fingers may enter into the volume at once. The nail brush will provide a cleaning action on those fingers inserted into the volume.
In accordance with one embodiment of the invention the nails are cleaned and debris and dirt removed from the nails is substantially contained within the volume. In the embodiment in which there is an open end in the brush some debris may spray out from this open end. In the embodiment in which the nail brush ends are closed such spray is avoided and such nail brushes may be suitable for more sensitive locations where it is essential that contamination and infection is avoided, such as hospitals, care homes, or sensitive industrial environments.
The second and third volumes provided in the preferred embodiment of the present invention may also be used to provide a comprehensive and thorough clean of the finger tips and nails.
The invention is not restricted to details of the foregoing embodiments. For example it is contemplated that the nail brush relates to and is suitable for cleaning toes and toe nails in addition to fingers and finger nails.
Claims
1. A nail brush comprising;
- a handle section;
- a plurality of bristles, each of said bristles having an attached end, connected to said handle section, and a free end;
- each free end positioned, relative to its neighbours, to collectively define an envelope partially enclosing a volume;
- wherein said volume is structured to receive a portion of at least one human digit extending from a digit tip substantially to an eponychium of said digit.
2. A nail brush as claimed in claim 1, wherein a cross-section of said volume is substantially a section of an obround.
3. A nail brush as claimed in claim 1, wherein said volume comprises three sets of bristles, said attached ends of said bristles being located in planes set at an angle to each other.
4. A nail brush as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said volume comprises a an arcuate channel.
5. A nail brush as claimed in claim 1 wherein said volume is a spheroid section, shaped to receive a single finger.
6. A nail brush as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a cavity to contain soap or disinfectant.
7. A nail brush as claimed in claim 6, further comprising flexible sections to allow dispensing of said soap or disinfectant by application of pressure against said flexible sections.
8. A nail brush as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a prime mover to power movement of bristles.
9. A nail brush as claimed in claim 9, wherein said prime mover provides reciprocating translational motion for said brush.
10. A nail brush as claimed in claim 9, wherein said prime mover provides rotational motion for said brush.
11. A nail brush as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising an ultraviolet lamp.
12. A nail brush as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising an ultrasonic cleaner.
13. A nailbrush substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.
14. A nail brush substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying description.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 21, 2013
Publication Date: Oct 15, 2015
Inventor: Robert Geoffrey MYERS
Application Number: 14/646,799