U.S. patent application number 10/802390 was filed with the patent office on 2005-09-22 for abrasive pad.
Invention is credited to Azar, Zion, Shalev, Pinchas.
Application Number | 20050204636 10/802390 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34984646 |
Filed Date | 2005-09-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050204636 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Azar, Zion ; et al. |
September 22, 2005 |
Abrasive pad
Abstract
An abrasive pad including an abrasive surface and an elastomer
material backing the abrasive surface and having an end remote from
the abrasive surface. The elastomer material is formed with two
slits starting at edges of the spongy material and oriented
substantially parallel to the abrasive surface near the remote end
of the spongy material, such that flaps formed by the slits can be
folded back to form a finger hold.
Inventors: |
Azar, Zion; (Shoham, IL)
; Shalev, Pinchas; (Kfar-Saba, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WOLF, BLOCK, SCHORR & SOLIS-COHEN LLP
250 PARK AVENUE
NEW YORK
NY
10177
US
|
Family ID: |
34984646 |
Appl. No.: |
10/802390 |
Filed: |
March 17, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
51/297 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B24D 15/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
051/297 |
International
Class: |
A46B 001/00; B24D
011/00 |
Claims
1. An abrasive pad comprising: an abrasive surface; and an
elastomer or sponge material backing the abrasive surface and
having an end remote from the abrasive surface; wherein the
elastomer or sponge material is formed with two slits starting at
edges of the spongy material and oriented substantially parallel to
the abrasive surface near the remote end of the spongy material,
such that flaps formed by the slits can be folded back to form a
finger hold.
2. An abrasive pad according to claim 1 wherein the elastomer or
sponge material is a sponge material.
3. An abrasive pad according to claim 1 and further comprising a
separate ring of elastomer or sponge material surrounding the
backing material to reduce contact between the edge of the abrasive
pad and a surface being abraded.
4. An abrasive pad according to claim 3 wherein the elastomer or
sponge material of the ring is a sponge material.
5. An abrasive pad according to claim 3, wherein the protective
ring is of a same material as the backing.
6. A pad according to claim 1, wherein the pad is shaped as a
cylinder.
7. An abrasive pad comprising: an abrasive surface; an elastomer or
sponge material backing the abrasive surface; and a separate ring
of elastomer or sponge material surrounding the backing material to
reduce contact between the edge of the abrasive pad and a surface
being abraded.
8. An abrasive pad according to claim 7 comprising a handle that is
an integral part of the backing material.
9. An abrasive pad according to claim 7 comprising a handle created
by folding out flaps slit from the backing material.
10. An abrasive pad according to claim 7, wherein the protective
ring is of a same material as the backing.
11. An abrasive pad according to claim 7, wherein the pad is shaped
as a cylinder.
12. An abrasive pad according to claim 7 wherein the elastomer or
sponge material of the ring is a sponge material.
13. An abrasive pad according to claim 7 wherein the elastomer or
sponge material of the backing is a sponge material.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to disposable abrasive
pads.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The human skin is a living substance with need for constant
care. The human skin emits materials, such as sebum and
perspiration and the skin itself is regenerating leaving dry skin
and growth on its surface. Generally a human person is interested
in taking care of the skin for hygienic reasons and/or cosmetic
reasons. Additionally, humans apply makeup and other materials on
the skin which at times they desire to remove.
[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 6,214,362 to Page the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference, describes the use of cosmetic
pads for removing low tension substances and applying cosmetics to
the human skin.
[0004] The use of inexpensive disposable pads is convenient for
carrying around and using to remove substances from the skin,
however in some cases more aggressive means are needed to remove
items which cling to the skin.
[0005] Abrasive materials are also useful in other fields, such as
carpentry and metal work fields.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention relates to an abrasive pad, which can
be used to clean a person's skin or other surfaces. In some
embodiments of the invention, the pad is compact and inexpensive to
manufacture. In some embodiments it is easy to handle and multiple
units can be packaged in a relatively compact manner. In some
embodiments of the invention a stiff abrasive pad is bonded to a
spongy material that serves as a holder for applying the abrasive
pad.
[0007] In accordance with an aspect of some embodiments of the
invention, the abrasive pad comprises a fold out handle for
grasping during use. In an embodiment of the invention, the fold
out handle is formed by cutting the spongy material inwardly from
two opposite sides to form fold-up flaps.
[0008] In accordance with some aspects of the invention, the pad
includes a separate ring of non-abrasive, optionally spongy
material surrounding the spongy backing material to reduce contact
between the edge of the abrasive pad and a surface being
abraded.
[0009] There is thus provided, in accordance with an embodiment of
the invention, an abrasive pad comprising:
[0010] an abrasive surface; and
[0011] an elastomer or sponge material backing the abrasive surface
and having an end remote from the abrasive surface;
[0012] wherein the elastomer or sponge material is formed with two
slits starting at edges of the spongy material and oriented
substantially parallel to the abrasive surface near the remote end
of the spongy material, such that flaps formed by the slits can be
folded back to form a finger hold.
[0013] In an embodiment of the invention, the pad comprises a
separate ring of elastomer or sponge material surrounding the
backing material to reduce contact between the edge of the abrasive
pad and a surface being abraded.
[0014] Optionally, the elastomer or sponge material is a sponge
material.
[0015] Optionally, the protective ring is of a same material as the
backing.
[0016] Optionally, the pad is shaped as a cylinder.
[0017] There is further provided, in accordance with an embodiment
of the invention, an abrasive pad comprising:
[0018] an abrasive surface;
[0019] an elastomer or sponge material backing the abrasive
surface; and
[0020] a separate ring of elastomer or sponge material surrounding
the backing material to reduce contact between the edge of the
abrasive pad and a surface being abraded.
[0021] Optionally, the pad comprises a handle that is an integral
part of the backing material. Optionally, the handle is created by
folding out flaps slit from the backing material.
[0022] Optionally, the protective ring is of a same material as the
backing.
[0023] Optionally, the pad is shaped as a cylinder.
[0024] Optionally the elastomer or sponge material of the ring is a
sponge material. Optionally, the elastomer or sponge material of
the backing is a sponge material.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[0025] Particular exemplary embodiments of the invention will be
described with reference to the following description of
embodiments in conjunction with the figures, wherein identical
structures, elements or parts which appear in more than one figure
are generally labeled with a same or similar number in all the
figures in which they appear, in which:
[0026] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a pad according to an
exemplary embodiment of the invention;
[0027] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of an exploded view of a
pad, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention; and
[0028] FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of applying a pad,
according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0029] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an abrasive pad 100
according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In an
exemplary embodiment of the invention, a thin abrasive layer 140
comprised for example from stiff paper coated with powdered emery
or sand, is bound to a thicker base 110 formed from a soft spongy
material for example polypropylene. Optionally, a low cost material
is selected in order to reduce the cost of pad 100 so that it can
be regarded as a discardable item. In some embodiments of the
invention, sterilized materials are used in order to supply pad 100
for use when hygienic conditions are required.
[0030] In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, flaps 120 are
formed by cutting slits 150 on two sides of an upper portion of
base 110. Flaps 120 are folded upward along optionally parallel
fold lines 130 to allow a person to grasp the flaps and get a good
grip in use of abrasive pad 100.
[0031] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of an exploded view of a
pad 100, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. As
mentioned above and shown in FIG. 2, pad 100 is comprised of thin
abrasive layer 140 and generally thicker base layer 110. In an
exemplary embodiment of the invention, abrasive layer 140 is less
than one millimeter thick and base 110 is between 3 millimeters and
one centimeter thick. The diameter of pad 100 is between 2 to 5
centimeters. Alternatively, the actual dimensions may vary, for
example base 110 may be thicker (e.g. 3-5 cm) with a small diameter
(e.g. 1-2 cm). In some embodiments of the invention, pad 100 can be
held in the palm of a person during use. Alternatively, two hands
may be needed to use pad 100.
[0032] In some embodiments of the invention abrasive layer 140 may
be thicker or thinner typically depending on the material used to
form the abrasive layer. In some embodiments of the invention
abrasive layer 140 is decremental, wherein it is worn down by use,
for example like a pencil eraser. A thicker abrasive layer
generally lasts longer than a thinner layer.
[0033] In an exemplary embodiment of the invention abrasive layer
140 is connected to base 110 with an adhesive substance such as
glue.
[0034] In some embodiments of the invention, a protective ring 170
is fitted over pad 100. Protective ring 170 is optionally created
from the same material as base 110. Optionally, protective ring 170
has a height equal to the thickness of base 110 (optionally less
the thickness of flaps 120) plus the height of abrasive layer 140.
Protective ring 170 prevent forces from being exerted on the skin
or other object being abraded by the sides of abrasive layer 140
during use, which could damage the object and/or cause abrasive
layer 140 to fall off.
[0035] While a circular shape is shown for pad 100, other shapes
may be useful, under certain circumstances. For example, an oval,
triangular or rectangular shape may make it easier to abrade
corners.
[0036] FIG. 3 is a schematic illustrations of applying an abrasive
pad, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In an
exemplary embodiment of the invention, a person uses their hand 200
to grasp pad 100 by holding it from its perimeter or by grasping
flaps 120. The person applies abrasive pad 100 by rubbing it
against an object or an area on his body 250 that needs to be
cleaned or smoothed, for example to remove dry skin from the face,
dirt or hair from the hand or file a persons nails.
[0037] In some embodiments of the invention, multiple pads 100 of
multiple shapes are supplied in a package containing pads 100, with
the flaps flat against portion 110. Alternatively, each package
contains multiple pads of a single shape.
[0038] It will be appreciated that the above described apparatus
and method of use may be varied in many ways, including, changing
the sizes and/or materials used in the system. For example, while
sponge material is indicated as being used for the backing and
ring, in some embodiments of the material, other elastomer
materials such as a soft elastomer is used. It should also be
appreciated that the above described description of methods and
apparatus are to be interpreted as including apparatus for carrying
out the methods and methods of using the apparatus.
[0039] The present invention has been described using non-limiting
detailed descriptions of embodiments thereof that are provided by
way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the
invention. It should be understood that features and/or steps
described with respect to one embodiment may be used with other
embodiments and that not all embodiments of the invention have all
of the features and/or steps shown in a particular figure or
described with respect to one of the embodiments. Variations of
embodiments described will occur to persons of the art.
[0040] It is noted that some of the above described embodiments may
describe the best mode contemplated by the inventors and therefore
may include structure, acts or details of structures and acts that
may not be essential to the invention and which are described as
examples. Structure and acts described herein are replaceable by
equivalents which perform the same function, even if the structure
or acts are different, as known in the art. Therefore, the scope of
the invention is limited only by the elements and limitations as
used in the claims. When used in the following claims, the terms
"comprise", "include", "have" and their conjugates mean "including
but not limited to".
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