Manicure and pedicure file

Abstract

A nail file in the form of an arc with generally rounded edges and a method for grooming finger- and toenails using the file.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention is in the field of files for use in manicuring and pedicuring.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] There are a wide variety of files available for use in grooming nails and skin. The typical file is flat and planar, and tends to be elongated with rounded ends. Either one or both sides of the planar surface are abrasive, permitting both sides of the file to be used in grooming the nails or skin. Sometimes the abrasive surfaces on each side of the file differ in texture and grain, with one side of the file having a rougher gauge abrasive for more serious abrading, and the other side of the file a smoother abrasive surface for finer, more precision filing. One common problem when using such files is that the file must be held with the fingers, and the skin on the fingers themselves sometimes becomes abraded when holding on to the file. Also, it is sometimes difficult to hold the file itself when there are no areas that facilitate gripping.

[0003] Accordingly, there is a need for a file for use in manicure and pedicure processes that facilitates easy gripping, reduces the possibility of incidential abrasion of superficial skin on the fingers, which is inexpensive to manufacture and easy to assemble and ship.

[0004] It is an object of the invention to provide a file for manicure and pedicure applications, which is in the form of an arc having at least one attachment that facilitates gripping and use.

[0005] It is a further object of the invention to provide a file for manicure and pedicure applications that is in the form of an arc having a degree of bend that facilitates gripping and use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] FIG. 1: depicts a perspective view of the file of the invention being used to treat toenails.

[0007] FIG. 2: is a top plan view of the file of the invention.

[0008] FIG. 3: is a side view taken across 3-3 of FIG. 2, showing the file and the ergonomic attachment.

[0009] FIG. 4: is a perspective view showing the file of the invention and how it may be used to treat toenails.

[0010] FIG. 5: is a perspective view showing the file of the invention and how it may be used to treat fingernails.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The file 1 of the invention is an-elongated planar surface 2 in the shape of an arc 20A having generally rounded ends 3. The file 1 is bent very slightly to form an arc 20A, having one long side edge that is concave 20 with the opposite long side edge being convex 21 with side edges joined by generally rounded ends 3. The degree of bend in the arc may range from about 1 to 30 degrees, more preferably from about 1 to 20 degrees, most preferably about 1 to 15 degrees with the degree of bend being determined by drawing a straight line 16 tangent to mid section 16A, as depicted in FIG. 3, and measuring the angle between tangent line 16 and file edge 16B. The arc 20A shape facilitates easier gripping of the file 1 as opposed to the traditional straight files, and enables the user to better manipulate the file to treat the nails on the hands or toes.

[0012] The file 1 has a top surface 4 and a bottom surface 5. Either one or both of the top surface 4 and bottom surface 5 may have an abrasive surface layered on. The abrasive surface may be made by gluing abrasive grains such as sand, silicon dioxide, diamond grains onto the surfaces 4, 5, or by overlayering and gluing an abrasive fabric onto the surfaces 4, 5. The top surface 4 and the bottom surface 5 may have the same grain abrasive on the surfaces or, different grades of abrasive depending on the applications. Generally, one embodiment is where top surface 4 has a rough grain abrasive surface that makes it suitable for use in situations where heavy duty abrading is desired; and bottom surface 5 has a finer grain abrasive surface that makes it useful in doing fine abrasive work, such as finishing work in filing the nails. Another embodiment is where both top surface 4 and bottom surface 5 have the same grain abrasive surface. The term "grain" refers to the particle size of the abrasive that forms the abrasive surface. The term "fine grain" means that the particle sizes are generally very small (for example submicron sizes such as 0.0001 micron to 200 microns), and "medium grain" means that the particle sizes of the abrasive range from 201 microns to 800 microns; and "rough grain" means that the particle sizes of the abrasive range from 801 microns to 1200+ microns.

[0013] Preferably the file 1 has a width 6 ranging from about 0.001 to 0.5 inch, more preferably from about 0.001 to 0.25 inch.

[0014] The file 1 has an ergonomic attachment 7 that may be removably slipped onto the file 1, or is, more preferably, permanently affixed thereto in the mid-section 8. Ergonomic attachment 7 preferably has a rounded top surface 9 having a generally oval circumference 10, and which may be generally convex 10A. Preferably half of the top surface 9 is striated 11 or distressed, which in turn better facilitates gripping of the file on ergonomic attachment 7 when the user 12 is using file 1 to file nails 13 of the toes 14 or fingers 15. Ergonomic attachment 7 may be striated 11 on only one side or on both sides. Preferably ergonomic attachment 7 is striated 11 only on one side and the striations are about one half of the upper convex 10A surface.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken across 3-3 of FIG. 2, and better depicts how ergonomic attachment 7 surrounds midsection 8 of file 1 forming a convex surface 10A that facilitates gripping of both lower and upper sides of file 1. Preferably ergonomic attachment 7 has side edges 17 that leave a portion 18 of file side 19 exposed.

[0016] File 1 may be used to file nails on fingers or toes as depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5. The arc shape 20A in combination with ergonomic attachment 7 makes the file 1 much easier to grip.

[0017] The invention is also directed to a method for grooming the nails of fingers or toes by treating with a file 1 in the form of an arc 20A having at least one ergonomic attachment 7 that facilitates use and grip.

[0018] The file may be used to file the finger- or toenails, or it may be used to gently abrade skin on fingers or toes.

[0019] While the invention has been described in connection with the preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth but, on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A nail file in the form of elongated planar matching top and bottom surfaces having an outer periphery in the shape of an arc with generally rounded edges with straight side edges in a single plane between the top and bottom surfaces, said file having at least one ergonomic attachment on at least one of the top or bottom elongated planar surfaces.

2. The nail file of claim 1 wherein the top and bottom surfaces are abrasive.

3. The nail file of claim 1 wherein the ergonomic attachment is generally oval shaped.

4. The nail file of claim 3 wherein the ergonomic attachment is attached to the mid section of the file.

5. The nail file of claim 3 wherein ergonomic attachment has a top surface situated on the top surface of the file and a bottom surface situated on the bottom surface of the file.

6. The nail file of claim 5 wherein the top and bottom surfaces of ergonomic attachment have a convex upper surface.

7. The nail file of claim 6 wherein the convex surface of ergonomic attachment is striated on the convex upper surface.

8. The nail file of claim 1 wherein the top and bottom surface are colored abrasive surfaces.

9. The nail file of claim 1 wherein the top and bottom surfaces are abrasive surfaces and have the same grain of abrasive surface.

10. The nail file of claim 1 wherein the top abrasive surface has one grain of abrasive and the bottom abrasive surface has a second grain of abrasive.

11. The nail file of claim 10 wherein the abrasive surface comprises sand, silicon dioxide, or diamond grains.

12. The nail file of claim 1 wherein the degree of bend in the arc ranges from 1 to 20 degrees.

13. The nail file of claim 1 wherein the degree of bend in the arc ranges from 1 to 15 degrees.

14. A method for filing and grooming fingernails or toenails comprising treating the nails with a nail file in the form of an elongated planar surface having an outer periphery in the shape of an arc having a degree of bend ranging from about 1 to 30 degrees and generally rounded edges.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the arc has a top abrasive surface and a bottom abrasive surface.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the top abrasive surface has one grain of abrasive and the bottom abrasive surface a second grain of abrasive.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein the file has an ergonomic attachment.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the ergonomic attachment is attached at the mid section of the file.

19. The method of claim 14 wherein the file is used to groom toenails.

20. The method of claim 14 wherein the file is used to groom fingernails.