U.S. patent application number 10/990322 was filed with the patent office on 2006-05-18 for fingernail hygiene method and system.
Invention is credited to Edward Grahem Donnelly.
Application Number | 20060101597 10/990322 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36384571 |
Filed Date | 2006-05-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060101597 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Donnelly; Edward Grahem |
May 18, 2006 |
Fingernail hygiene method and system
Abstract
A personal hygiene device, comprises: a body; a motor within the
body; a fluid supply within the body; a moving brush head extending
from the body and driven by the motor at a sonic frequency; and a
fluid dispenser within the body that directs a fluid from the fluid
supply onto the brush head. The device may further include a brush
replacement indicator. The indicator may be triggered by a number
of cleaning operations performed, by a sensor or by depletion of
the fluid supply, for example. The device may further comprise a
battery operatively connected to power the motor. In that case, the
device may further comprise a battery recharging circuit. The brush
head may further comprise at least one rotating section.
Alternatively, the brush head may further comprise at least one
reciprocating section. The device may yet further comprise a switch
actuated by a user contacting the brush head that operatively
connects power to the motor.
Inventors: |
Donnelly; Edward Grahem;
(Breda, NL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LOWRIE, LANDO & ANASTASI
RIVERFRONT OFFICE
ONE MAIN STREET, ELEVENTH FLOOR
CAMBRIDGE
MA
02142
US
|
Family ID: |
36384571 |
Appl. No.: |
10/990322 |
Filed: |
November 16, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/21.1 ;
132/75.8; 15/22.1; 15/22.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B 7/04 20130101; A46B
15/001 20130101; A46B 2200/1013 20130101; A46B 11/0065 20130101;
A46B 13/04 20130101; A46B 15/0002 20130101; A46B 11/002
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/021.1 ;
015/022.1; 015/022.2; 132/075.8 |
International
Class: |
A46B 13/04 20060101
A46B013/04 |
Claims
1. A personal hygiene device, comprising: a body; a motor within
the body; a fluid supply within the body; a moving brush head
extending from the body and driven by the motor at a sonic
frequency; and a fluid dispenser within the body that directs a
fluid from the fluid supply onto the brush head.
2. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a brush replacement
indicator.
3. The device of claim 2, wherein the indicator is triggered by a
number of cleaning operations performed.
4. The device of claim 2, wherein the indicator is triggered by a
sensor.
5. The device of claim 4, wherein the indicator is triggered by
depletion of the fluid supply.
6. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a battery operatively
connected to power the motor.
7. The device of claim 6, further comprising: a battery recharging
circuit.
8. The device of claim 1, wherein the brush head further comprises:
at least one rotating section.
9. The device of claim 1, wherein the brush head further comprises:
at least one reciprocating section.
10. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a switch actuated by
a user contacting the brush head that operatively connects power to
the motor.
Description
FINGERNAIL HYGIENE METHOD AND SYSTEM
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to methods and systems for
cleaning fingernails, especially methods and systems which automate
the process of cleaning fingernails and improve the hygienic effect
of performing fingernail cleaning.
[0002] Many industries employ manual labor that result in
unsanitary conditions under the fingernails of the laborers. For
example, catering, food production, agriculture, chemical,
pharmaceutical, automotive, building, manufacturing, medical,
etc.
[0003] In the meat processing industry, meat packers and handlers
often get bits of animal carcass stuck under the ends of their
fingernails. Those bits of material can be transferred to other
locations in the meat processing plant or even to articles and food
that may later be handled or consumed. Even when gloves are used to
prevent such transfers of material, tears, holes and other
unintended actions can result in unsanitary transfers. In another
example, mechanics and machine operators often do not wear gloves
to prevent contamination under the fingernails, yet they pick up
machine oils, chemicals and other unsanitary fluids and dirt that
must later be removed in order to prevent transfers to foods and
other articles that they may handle.
[0004] Cleaning of one's fingernails is a cumbersome ritual, yet
necessary under certain circumstances. Nail cleaning must be done
before and after performing medical procedures, working with food,
meats, live animals, paints, dyes, chemicals and other hazardous
materials. Most do not enjoy cleaning fingernails, even after tasks
where such cleaning is mandatory for hygiene purposes. Manual
systems of fingernail cleaning, such as conventional scrub brushes,
do not encourage hygienic behavior because manual systems do not
make the process easy or pleasant. Moreover, manual systems produce
highly variable results because they depend on such variables as
the force applied by the user, whether or not and the amount of
antibacterial soap used and the duration of the scrubbing
process.
[0005] The risk inherent in conventional systems and methods is
highly variable, but includes risk of cross infections and
poisoning from nail to mouth or eyes and a risk of person-to-person
transmission. Sources of illness or poisoning may include
salmonella, toxic substances, worms, other bacteria and
viruses.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0006] According to aspects of embodiments of the invention,
improved methods and systems for cleaning fingernails are provided.
Methods and systems that improve the quality of the cleaning
process as well as the inclination to perform the cleaning process
are provided.
[0007] According to some aspects of embodiments of the invention, a
personal hygiene device, comprises: a body; a motor within the
body; a fluid supply within the body; a moving brush head extending
from the body and driven by the motor at a sonic frequency; and a
fluid dispenser within the body that directs a fluid from the fluid
supply onto the brush head. The device may further include a brush
replacement indicator. The indicator may be triggered by a number
of cleaning operations performed, by a sensor or by depletion of
the fluid supply, for example. The device may further comprise a
battery operatively connected to power the motor. In that case, the
device may further comprise a battery recharging circuit. The brush
head may further comprise at least one rotating section.
Alternatively, the brush head may further comprise at least one
reciprocating section. The device may yet further comprise a switch
actuated by a user contacting the brush head that operatively
connects power to the motor.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0008] The accompanying drawings, are not intended to be drawn to
scale. In the drawings, each identical or nearly identical
component that is illustrated in various figures is represented by
a like numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be
labeled in every drawing. In the drawings:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a top view of an apparatus illustrating aspects of
an embodiment of the invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1; and
[0011] FIG. 3 is a cut away side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1,
showing the internal mechanism.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] This invention is not limited in its application to the
details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth
in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The
invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or
of being carried out in various ways. Also, the phraseology and
terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and
should not be regarded as limiting. The use of "including,"
"comprising," or "having," "containing", "involving", and
variations thereof herein, is meant to encompass the items listed
thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.
[0013] An exemplary embodiment illustrating various aspects of the
invention is now described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. The
exemplary embodiment is a generally oblong apparatus 100 suitable
for mounting adjacent a wash basin or other location where desired.
The mount may be permanent or the apparatus may be removeably
mounted, so as to facilitate servicing.
[0014] A portion of the outer surface of the apparatus is covered
with brush bristles 101. The brush bristles 101 may be affixed by
any suitable means or method to one or more brush backings 102. The
brush backings 102 are removeably attached to an interior mechanism
of the apparatus. The interior mechanism of the apparatus includes
several subsystems.
[0015] The interior mechanism of the apparatus includes a power
subsystem, a brush mounting and vibrating subsystem, and a soap
distribution subsystem.
[0016] The brush mounting and vibrating subsystem, shown in FIG. 3,
includes a motor 301 or other vibration inducing device as may be
suitable connected by one or more mechanical linkages 302 to the
brushes 101. The motor 301 and linkages 302 should move the brush
bristles 101 up to 30,000 movements per minute, in order to
effectively scrub under a person's fingernails, when the fingers
are pressed onto the brush surface.
[0017] The power subsystem preferably comprises a battery, battery
charging circuit and power distribution circuits. The battery
charging circuit need not be included within the apparatus but may
be optionally provided within the apparatus if desired. Using
battery power increases the safety of the system, when used in
high-moisture environments, as would be expected for a fingernail
cleaning system. Replaceable batteries can be used instead of
rechargeable batteries, thus eliminating the need for battery
charging circuitry. A connection to conventional electrical mains,
e.g. 120V, 60 Hz power in the U.S. or 220V, 50 Hz power where that
is standard, can be made using any suitable means or method,
including a detachable external transformer or other device. By
using a detachable external transformer, the connection to the
mains need not be left in place while the apparatus is mounted for
use near a wash basin.
[0018] Alternatively, a direct connection to the mains, without
using a battery, can be made. In such embodiments, it is desirable
to use a step-down transformer to reduce the mains voltage to a
safer operating level.
[0019] In addition, there is a soap distribution subsystem
including a receptacle 303 for a soap sachet 304, a network of
tubing 305 connecting the soap sachet 304 to injection ports 306
below the brush bases and a manual or electrically driven soap pump
307. The soap sachet 304 may include a reinforced wall 308 having a
weak spot 309 that may be punctured by an end 310 of the network of
tubing so as to provide access to a fresh sealed soap sachet. The
soap should be preferably an anti-bacterial soap or anti-bacterial
lotion.
[0020] Beneath the brush supports 102, the mechanism includes a
switch (not shown) so that when a user presses their fingernails
onto the brush bristles 101, the motor 301 is energized to move the
bristles 101 as described above. The switch can also energize a
soap dispenser motor if one is provided.
[0021] Electronic circuits or mechanical devices can be employed to
indicate when brush replacement or fluid supply replacement is
required. For example, electronic circuits could count the number
of cleaning operations performed, i.e. the number of closures of
the switch mentioned above, a wear indicator could detect wear of
the brush bristles or a fluid supply sensor could detect depletion
of the soap from the soap sachet. Any suitable type of sensor can
be used. Any of the foregoing sensors or devices could be used to
then trigger an indicator, for example an indicator light,
signaling that brushes and/or soap need to be replaced.
[0022] The movements of the brush heads can be either rotary A or
linear B. Either motion can be reciprocal. The brush heads can
include sections having each type of movement. The movements can be
produced by any suitable linkage 302 to a motor 301 or other
vibration inducing device.
[0023] Having thus described several aspects of at least one
embodiment of this invention, it is to be appreciated various
alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to
those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications, and
improvements are intended to be part of this disclosure, and are
intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention.
Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings are by way of
example only.
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