US4180884A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fingernail cleaning apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1978-11-09
•
Granted: 1980-01-01
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Expires: 1998-11-09
Abstract
Abstract Fingernail cleaning apparatus in which a disc-shaped rotary brush is utilized in combination with cleaning liquid to obtain effective cleaning action for the fingernails. The rotary brush is mounted rotatably inside a housing, and a mouth of the housing is closed by a guide assembly which forms entrances for only the fingers to be received in the housing. Liquid is received in the housing. The guide assembly includes sealing structure for sealing around the fingers to prevent escape of liquid. The rotary brush is driven by a motor.
Inventors
- 👤 Don Hess
- 👤 JoAnna B. Hess
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 00:08
CPC Classifications
A; A46; A46B; A46B13/00; A46B13/02; A46B13/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
A fingernail cleaning apparatus comprising: a housing for receiving liquid; disc-shaped brush means supported rotatably in a substantially horizontal plane within said housing for brushing fingernails while wet with said liquid; motor means operatively connected to said brush means for rotating said brush means about a central axis thereof; and guide means forming finger entrances for said housing above said brush means to allow insertion of only fingers into said housing into contact with said brush means for cleaning the fingernails; said finger entrances including four finger entrances on one lateral side of the axis of rotation of said brush means; and a fifth finger entrance on the opposite lateral side of the axis of rotation of said brush means; whereby four fingers of one hand may be inserted respectively in said four finger entrances for brushing the nail thereof across the width of the nail and the thumb of the same hand may be inserted in said fifth finger entrance at the same time for brushing the nail thereof across the width of the nail.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
176 words
A fingernail cleaning apparatus comprising: a housing for receiving liquid; disc-shaped brush means supported rotatably in a substantially horizontal plane within said housing for brushing fingernails while wet with said liquid; motor means operatively connected to said brush means for rotating said brush means about a central axis thereof; and guide means forming finger entrances for said housing above said brush means to allow insertion of only fingers into said housing into contact with said brush means for cleaning the fingernails; said finger entrances including four finger entrances on one lateral side of the axis of rotation of said brush means; and a fifth finger entrance on the opposite lateral side of the axis of rotation of said brush means; whereby four fingers of one hand may be inserted respectively in said four finger entrances for brushing the nail thereof across the width of the nail and the thumb of the same hand may be inserted in said fifth finger entrance at the same time for brushing the nail thereof across the width of the nail.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which: said guide means includes a guide member having openings therein at said entrances for receiving the fingers; and sealing means for sealing around each finger at said openings to inhibit escape of liquid from the housing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 2 in which: said guide member and said sealing means form a sixth entrance adjacent said fifth entrance for alternate thumb location.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 3 in which: said guide member comprises an apertured plate; and said sealing means comprises a flexible apertured member abutting said plate and having multiple finger sealing portions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 3 in which: said guide member comprises an apertured plate; and said sealing means comprises a plurality of separate seals each providing sealing for a finger opening in said plate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 3 in which: said housing has a mouth; and said guide means closes said mouth except at said openings.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 6 in which: said guide means is releasably mounted on said housing at said mouth thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 7 in which: said housing includes a base and a side wall releasably affixed to said base.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
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Cited
US3439370A
Cited
US3918117A
Cited
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Cited
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Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-12-31 | 1983-07-02 | 1984-01-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-12-31 | 1987-07-02 | 1988-01-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-12-31 | 1991-07-02 | 1992-01-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |