US20110083689A1

US20110083689A1 - Salon finishing board

Info

Publication number: US20110083689A1
Application number: US12/587,864
Authority: US
Inventors: Edward A. Andrews
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-10-13
Filing date: 2009-10-13
Publication date: 2011-04-14
Also published as: WO2011046914A3; WO2011046914A2

Abstract

A salon finishing board used for finishing fingernails. The salon finishing board is constructed by securing a non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material to one or both sides of a salon finishing board. The non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material allows the salon finishing board to smooth the nail, prepare the nail surface for a coating, and finish the cuticle around the nail.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The invention pertains to an apparatus for use in a nail care salon or manicure salon where technicians use various devices to sculpt and finish fingernails of customers. Such services may include health and cosmetic procedures to groom, trim, and polish an individual's nails. These salons may also provide pedicures to customers where nails and rough skin is smoothed and treated.
In addition to the primary use of the invention in manicure salons for human customers, it is the inventor's expectation that the device presented can be used in several unrelated areas, such as, but not limited to, dog grooming operations, hoof related operations used on show horses and other animals, as well as other areas not related to keratin based structures.
However, one of the intended uses of this invention is related to an abrasive hand held tool or instrument for filing, sculpting and finishing the fingernails of salon patrons.
2. Description of the State of the Art
Salon boards or salon files are commonly used in the nail care salon industry during fingernail manicures and toenail pedicures. Typically, a salon board or salon file has two sides covered in an abrasive material such as, but not limited to, emery paper or a similar abrasive material and a core composed of a material that provides structural stiffness to the salon board. The salon board can be very stiff and inflexible or have various degrees of flexibility from flimsy to rigid. The salon board could also have a cushioned surface. The abrasive materials carried on the surfaces of the salon board are used to shape the customer's fingernails, toe nails and sometimes smooth the skin of the customer's feet. After a fingernail is smoothed and buffed using a extra fine salon board, the nail may be prepared for the application of a decorative or protective coating, such as but not limited to, fingernail polish. Furthermore, the cuticle around the nail may be finished. Currently, separate hand-held tools, instruments or implements must be used to prepare the nail for the protective or decorative coating and to finish the cuticle portion of the customer's fingernail or toenail. An instrument or hand held tool that can best perform and enhance these tasks would be a convenience to the manicurist used in nails preparation and manicuring.
There are several issued patents that are directed to implements used for abrading and shaping of fingernails. Included in this background information are: “Manicure Nail Smoothing and Buffing,” U.S. Pat. No. 4,211,246; “Fingernail and Toenail File/Buffer,” U.S. Pat. No. 5,287,863; “Nail Tool and Method of Using Same to File, Polish and/or Buff a Fingernail or a Toenail,” U.S. Pat. No. 5,658,184; “Emery Board Utilizing Acetone Based Adhesive,” U.S. Pat. No. 5,666,981; “Fingernail Manicuring Instrument,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,102,048 and “Disposable Manual Fingernail Filing Apparatus,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,047,702; all of these patents are herein incorporated by reference.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides, among other things, an apparatus for final finishing of a nail during the stages of or after a manicure or pedicure has been performed on a subject.
It is an object of the invention to provide an instrument used for final finishing after abrading and shaping fingernails and toenails of a person or animal.
It is an object of the invention to provide an instrument that is used to smooth the surface and edges of fingernails or toenails without changing the shape of the nail.
It is an object of the invention to provide an instrument that can be used by a manicurist to prepare the surface of a fingernail or a toenail for accepting a decorative or protective coating on the prepared nail.
It is an object of the invention to provide an instrument that is helpful in finishing the cuticle surrounding a fingernail of a subject.
Another object of the invention is to provide a salon board that has a first surface comprising an abrasive surface made from non-woven abrasive impregnated nylon or similar synthetic or naturally occurring material.
It is also an object of the invention to provide a salon board that has a first surface comprising an abrasive surface of non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material and a second surface comprising an abrasive surface also made of non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material.
Another object of the invention to provide a salon board that has a first surface comprising an abrasive surface of non-woven abrasive impregnated material and a second surface comprising an abrasive surface not comprising non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material.
The above and other objects may be achieved using devices involving a salon board with a non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material coupled to one or both sides of the board.
The non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material may, in one embodiment of the invention, be a material that made from fibers that have been loosely intertwined to present a scouring pad like, open cell fabric. The density of the fibers making up the fabric can range from very dense to much less dense. The fibers are the media that provide structure to support or carry impregnated abrasive materials that are connected to the fibers making up the fabric. The inventor does not intend to limit himself to a narrow definition of fabric and the term as used herein is intended to convey a flexible, open cell, amalgamation of fibers held together by an intertwining relationship with or without the use of adhesives, heat, pressure, or the like, any of which, alone or in combination can be used to make up the fabric from fibers, to provide a media for carrying abrasive material on the fibers of the fabric.
The device may have more than one type, grade, or style of abrasive material coupled, fastened, or adhered to the fibers making up the fabric. The abrasive material may be a non-woven abrasive impregnated nylon or other synthetic or naturally occurring material, such as, but not limited to, and mentioned as an example of an appropriate abrasive material, 3M brand or Norton brand non-woven impregnated abrasive nylon or other synthetic or naturally occurring material hereinafter referred to generically as a non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material.
The preferred embodiments of the invention presented here are described below in the drawings and detailed specification. Unless specifically noted, it is intended that the words and phrases in the specification and the claims be given the plain, ordinary and accustomed meaning to those of ordinary skill in the applicable arts. If any other special meaning is intended for any word or phrase, the specification will clearly state and define the special meaning. Likewise, if a noun, term or phrase is intended to be further characterized or specified, such will include adjectives, descriptive terms or other modifiers in accordance with the normal precepts of English grammar. Absent use of such adjectives, descriptive terms or modifiers, it is the intent the nouns, terms or phrases be given their plain and ordinary English meaning to those skilled in the applicable arts.
Further, the use of the words “function,” “means” or “step” in the Specification is not intended to indicate a desire to invoke the special provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, Paragraph 6, to define the invention. To the contrary, if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, Paragraph 6 are sought to be invoked to define the inventions, the claims will specifically state the phrases “means for” or “step for,” and will also clearly recite a function, without also reciting in such phrases any structure, material or act in support of the function. Thus, even when the claims recite a “means for” or “step for” performing a defined function, if the claims also recite any structure, material or acts in support of that means or step, or that perform the function, then the intention is not to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, Paragraph 6. Moreover, even if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, Paragraph 6 are invoked to define the claimed inventions, it is intended that the inventions not be limited only to the specific structure, material or acts that are described in the preferred embodiments, but in addition, include any and all structures, materials or acts that perform the claimed function as described in alternative embodiments, or that are well known present or later-developed, equivalent structures, material or acts for performing the claimed function.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived by referring to the detailed description when considered in connection with the following illustrative figures. In the figures, like reference numbers refer to like elements or acts throughout the figures.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an industry standard shaped salon board having a non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material adhered to one side of the salon board.

FIG. 1B is a side view of the salon board of FIG. 1A having a non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material adhered to one side of the salon board.

FIG. 1C is a side view of the salon board of FIG. 1A having a non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material adhered to one side of the salon board.

FIG. 1D is a perspective view of a salon board having a non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material affixed to both sides of the salon board.

FIG. 1E is a side view of the salon board of FIG. 1D having a having a non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material adhered to both sides of the salon board.

FIG. 2A is a front view of a salon board having an industry standard rectangular shape and having a non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material adhered to at least one side of the rectangular salon board.

FIG. 2B is a side view of the salon board with an industry standard shape as shown in FIG. 2A, the salon board shown having a non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material adhered to one side of the salon board.

FIG. 2C is a side view of the salon board with a rectangular shape as shown in FIG. 2A, this board having a non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material adhered to both sides of the salon board.

FIG. 3A is a front view of a salon board having a non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material adhered to one side of the salon board.

FIG. 3B is a side view of a salon board having a non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material adhered to one side of the salon board and a nonspecific standard abrasive material affixed to a second side of the salon board.

FIG. 3C is a rear view of a salon board of FIG. 3A showing an abrasive material adhered to the backside of the salon board.

FIG. 4A is a front view of a rectangular salon board having a portion of the surface covered in a non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material and a portion of the surface covered in a nonspecific standard abrasive material.

FIG. 4B is a front view of a curved end style salon board having a portion of the surface covered in a non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material and a portion of the surface covered in a standard abrasive material.

FIG. 4C is a side view of an industry standard curved end style salon board shown in FIG. 4B and having a portion of the surface covered in a non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material and a portion of the surface covered in a standard abrasive material.

FIG. 5A is a front view of a salon board with less than half of the length of the board having a non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material attached thereto.

FIG. 5B is a side elevation view of the salon board shown in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5C is a front view of a salon board with approximately half of the length of the board having a non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material attached thereto.

FIG. 5D is a front view of a salon board with more than half of the length of the board having a non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material attached thereto.

FIG. 5E is a side elevation view of a salon board with more than half of the length of the board having a abrasive material attached thereto on both a front and a back side of the salon board.

FIG. 6A is a salon board of flexible cushioned material having a non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material attached to one side of the salon board.

FIG. 6B is a side elevation view of the salon board of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6C is a side elevation of the salon board of FIG. 6B further having a non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material affixed to a second side of the salon board.

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of a salon board having a non-flexible core component laminated between layers of flexible cushioned material and non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material.

FIGS. 8A-8O is a series of cross sectional views of various industry standard shapes of flat salon boards showing a plethora of possible industry standard shapes but not limited to the shapes as show. The inventor can envision any shape that can be gripped and used in one hand.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an elongated, generally rectangular in cross-section, four sided salon board that may have non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material on one or more sides and standard abrasive material on one or more sides of the salon board.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an elongated and generally triangular in cross-section three-sided salon board that may have non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material on one or more sides and standard abrasive material on one or more sides of the salon board.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an elongated and generally circular in cross-section salon board that has non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material affixed to the surface of the rod shaped salon board.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an elongated and generally obround in cross-section salon board having non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material affixed to the surface of the salon board.

FIG. 13A is a perspective view of a multisided salon block without abrasive material affixed thereto.

FIGS. 13B-13G are end views of the salon block of FIG. 13A with various configurations of non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material and in some embodiments standard abrasive material affixed to various surfaces of the salon blocks in various combinations.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a salon block having a generally cubic shape.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, and for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various aspects of the invention. It will be understood, however, by those skilled in the relevant arts, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, known structures and devices are shown or discussed more generally in order to avoid obscuring the invention. In many cases, a description of the operation is sufficient to enable one to implement the various forms of the invention, particularly when the operation is to be implemented in software. It should be noted that there are many different and alternative configurations, devices and technologies to which the disclosed inventions may be applied. The full scope of the inventions is not limited to the examples that are described below.
In one embodiment of the invention, shown in FIGS. 1A-1D, the salon finishing board or salon board, generally 10 is constructed by applying a layer of adhesive 14 to one side of a core 12, in one embodiment, the core being a rigid foam board, making up the salon board. Core material may be of any material that provides a range of flexibility and shape in the core 12. The core material could range from a stiff material to a flexible cushioned material providing the varying support surface for the material carried on the surface of the core 12. For instance, and without limitation, materials such as wood, foam, laminates, fiberglass, plastics, Teflon®, composites, carbon fiber, metal, ceramics, glass, hard rubber, pumice, pumice like materials, or the like, can be used as a core construction material.
In an alternative embodiment, the adhesive material 14 could be applied to the obverse side of the abrasive material rather than to the core as is set forth above.
This construction of layers stacked and joined together is sometimes referred to as a laminated structure. Secured to the layer of adhesive 14 is a non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material 16. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A and 1C, the salon board's obverse side 20 is left untreated. That is, no adhesive is applied to this obverse side 20 of the core 12, although paint or a film finish may be applied to the obverse side 20 of the salon board if desired.
As an alternative embodiment to the use of adhesives in securing the elements of the salon board in a laminated state or configuration, the salon board invention may have the layers of elements making up the salon board generally affixed together using attachment configurations that may or may not include adhesive materials.
As stated above, the core 12 can be a foam core board or, in other embodiments, a firm backing board such as a wooden or plastic board, although the material for the core board found to be useful is a firm but flexible sturdy material such as, but not limited to, foam, laminates, fiberglass, plastics, Teflon®, composites, carbon fiber, metal, ceramics, glass, hard rubber, pumice or pumice like materials, or the like.
In another embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIGS. 1D and 1C, the salon finishing board generally 10 is constructed by applying a layer of adhesive 14 to both sides of the core component 12 of the salon board. Secured to one side of the core board 12 in contact with the layer of adhesive 14 is a non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material 16. Secured to the obverse side 20 of the core 12 is another layer of adhesive 14 for adhering a second non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material 22 to the obverse side 20 of the core 12.
In another embodiment of the salon board, shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, an industry standard rectangular shaped version of a salon board, generally 24, includes a rectangular core 26 having a layer of adhesive 28 on one face of the core 26. Adhered to the adhesive is a layer of non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material 30 similar or identical to the non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material 16 in FIG. 1A. Alternatively, the adhesive layer can be carried on the layer of non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material.
FIG. 2C is similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B with the difference in FIG. 2C being the provision of non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material 32 on the obverse side of the rectangular salon board generally 24.
FIGS. 3A through 3C present another embodiment of a salon board, generally 34, having a non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material 36 adhered, through an adhesive layer 38, to one side of the salon board core 40 and an abrasive material 42, such as, but not limited to, emery cloth or similar standard abrasive material or standard abrasive coated sheet products sometimes referred to as “sandpaper,” on the obverse side of the salon board.
FIGS. 4A-4C show two embodiments of a salon board. The construction of the two embodiments shown is similar to the construction of the previously discussed boards as far as core material, adhesive, and covering materials. In one embodiment, FIG. 4A, a generally rectangular salon board, generally 44, has a first side of the board partially covered with a non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material 46 and partially covered with an abrasive material 48. In this embodiment the non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material 46 covers approximately one-third of one surface of the salon board. More or less than one third of the surface can be covered in the non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material and the remaining portion covered in standard abrasive material.
FIGS. 4B and 4C are similar to FIG. 4A but are constructions on industry standard rounded end core elements. In these figures the non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material covers about half of one side of the board with the other half covered in abrasive material. Various ratios of non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material to abrasive material are possible and contemplated by the inventor.
In FIG. 4C, a side elevation view of FIG. 4B, the obverse side of the core is covered in abrasive material. The embodiment of FIG. 4A could likewise have standard abrasive material on its obverse side similar to what is shown in FIG. 4C.
FIGS. 5A-5-E are further embodiments of the invention. In FIGS. 5A and 5B a non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material is affixed to approximately one-third of the salon board, i.e. partial coverage. This leaves a substantial portion 58 of the core uncovered.
FIG. 5C is similar to FIGS. 5A and 5B with more of the core of the salon board covered in non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material.
The embodiment shown in FIGS. 5D and 5E include a non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material 60 on a first side of the salon board and non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material 62 on the back side or obverse side of the salon board. In this embodiment the coverage of the core with the non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material is more than halfway down the core. Each of the embodiments in FIGS. 5A-5E are representative of the fact that the non-woven abrasive impregnated material on the core can cover various percentages of the surface of the salon board and still be within the inventor's intent to provide a finishing salon board with non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material on the core without limiting the scope of the invention.
FIGS. 6A-6C present another embodiment of the invention. The principle is the same as is set forth above however in these embodiments the core is a thicker core 64 as shown in the side elevation views of FIGS. 6B and 6C. Advantages such as, but not limited to, comfort in a technician's hand, greater cushioning to enable contouring to the curves on the nail or lesser flexibility in the thicker core over a thinner core, and greater structural strength for longer salon board life may be some advantages of the thicker core 64. Non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material 66 fully covers a first face of the core 64 in this embodiment and in a related embodiment shown in FIG. 6C may cover the obverse side of the thicker core 64 as well. Lesser amounts of non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material 66 and 68 may be used as set forth in some of the previously discussed embodiments.
FIG. 7 is another embodiment of the invention. This embodiment includes a stringer 70 sandwiched between two layers of cushioned foam core material. The stringer 70 may add strength and stiffness to the salon board, generally 72, of this embodiment. In this embodiment it is shown with full coverage of the core faces with non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material. However, it should be clear at this point, based on the teachings above, that this representation is just one of several alternative embodiments of providing at least some degree of non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material on the salon board 72.
FIGS. 8A-8O are cross sectional representations of the myriad shapes, in cross section that industry standard salon boards are formed as. Each of these cross sections would be taken through the core support of an elongated core transverse to the major axis of the core. At least one surface of each of these cross sectional shapes would have the non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material affixed thereto. Salon boards can come in various cross sectional shapes, such as some of the industry standard shapes shown, so the inventor wants to illustrate that no matter what the cross sectional shape is, it is contemplated that a non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material can be affixed to any surface of any of the preferred industry standard illustrated shapes set out in FIGS. 8A-8O. For instance, FIG. 9 shows the square cross sectional shape set out in FIG. 8K as a finished salon board 74. In this case one side of the salon board has the non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material 76 affixed to that face and a second face has an abrasive material 78 affixed to that second face. Alternatively, each face of the square cross sectional salon board could be covered in abrasive material and non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material as selected by the manufacturer and comporting with the previous teachings in this specification.
FIG. 11 presents a similar situation. FIG. 11 shows the round cross sectional shape set out in FIG. 8N as a finished salon board 8O. In this case the salon board has the non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material 82 affixed to the round surface. Alternatively, this round in cross section salon board could be covered in abrasive material and non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material as selected by the manufacturer and comporting with the previous teachings in this specification.
FIG. 10 is another embodiment of the invention. In this case the salon board generally 84 is triangular in cross section. Each surface could be covered with an abrasive material or a non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material as the designer sees fit. One or more of the surfaces could be left uncovered and any combination of surface treatments, as set forth above, could be used in this embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a further embodiment of this invention. It is of generally an obround cross sectional salon board generally 86 that may be fully or partially covered with non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material as is taught above.
FIGS. 13A-13G illustrate a core block, generally 88, that is a shape that is desirable as a salon “board.” The basic rectangular block shape 90 of FIG. 13A can have one or more than one of its surfaces covered, or at least partially covered with non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material or a combination of non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material and either blank faces or faces covered in abrasive material. See for instance FIGS. 13B wherein two faces are covered with two different materials, one material being non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material and a second material being standard abrasive material. In FIG. 13C, four surfaces are covered with two different materials, one material being non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material and a second material being abrasive material. In FIG. 13D, four surfaces covered with different materials with non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material on the top, wide surface of the block and a second material being a standard abrasive material on three surfaces of the block 90; FIG. 13E where non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material is affixed to the top and bottom larger plane surfaces of the block; FIG. 13F where abrasive material is affixed to one end of the block; or FIG. 13G where there is abrasive material on an end of the block. Various combinations and permutations of FIGS. 13A-13G are contemplated by the inventor however illustration of all such permutations would be unnecessary for the understanding of the invention.
FIG. 14 is an alternative embodiment to the block 88 in FIGS. 13A-13G. Here the shape is a square cube, generally 92. It can have surfaces covered with non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material and services covered with abrasive material as has been illustrated in FIGS. 13A-13G. The inventor contemplates various combinations and permutations of FIG. 14, in accordance with FIGS. 13A-13G. That is the block 88 of FIG. 14 can have, but is not limited to, one or more than one of its surfaces covered, or at least partially covered with non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material or a combination of non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material and either blank faces or faces covered in abrasive material. For instance, two faces can be covered with two different materials, one material being non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material and a second material being standard abrasive material. In another embodiment four surfaces are covered with two different materials, one material being non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material and a second material being abrasive material. In a still further embodiment abrasive material is affixed to one end of the block.
As mentioned above, but not as a limitation to the scope of abrasive materials used on the salon board or instrument, in one embodiment of the invention, the non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material may be made of, but is not limited to, a Scotch-Brite® brand, a 3M company product, Norton® brand, a Saint-Gobian Company product, impregnated abrasive material, or other similar non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric materials.
In one embodiment of the invention the aggressive material may be a fine textured abrasive material for ultra-fine finishing or, as another embodiment of the invention a medium textured material for the nail edges and skin or cuticle smoothing.
Elements presented in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and have not necessarily been rendered according to any particular sequence or embodiment.
In summary, the invention herein is a salon finishing board comprising a core element having a first non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material coupled to a first side of the core element of the salon finishing board. In one embodiment of the invention a second abrasive material is coupled to the obverse side of the salon finishing board. The second abrasive material on the obverse side of the salon board may comprise a fine-textured abrasive material in one embodiment, a non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material in another embodiment, a standard abrasive material, such as, but not limited to, sandpaper, emery paper, or any type of abrasive material in another embodiment. In one embodiment, a different material, including at least one non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material component, is attached to each side of the core element. In a still further embodiment, the same non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material is attached to each side of the core element.
In further summary a salon board to be used to finish fingernails is provided that includes a core having a first side; an adhesive in contact with the first side of the core; and a non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material in contact with the adhesive layer on the core whereby the non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material is fixedly coupled to the first side of the core. The non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material is a material suitable for finishing fingernails, normally after they have been cut, trimmed and sanded by a salon technician. The non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material of the salon finishing board may range from a fine textured abrasive material, to a more aggressive abrasive material and even to a very aggressive abrasive material. In one embodiment of the invention the core of the salon board has an obverse side with an adhesive in contact with the obverse side of the core and an abrasive material is in contact with the adhesive layer on the obverse side of the core to fixedly couple the abrasive material, which may be adhered to a base sheet, to the obverse side of the core. The standard abrasive material could be in the nature of emery paper or sand paper or the abrasive material could be deposited directly on the core without the need for a base sheet. It should be clear that two, or more, characterizations of abrasive material may include a non-woven abrasive impregnated material and a second abrasive material that is a standard abrasive material which is not a material that is impregnated into a non-woven nylon, or other substrate material.
The core could be of any shape, such as a rectangular shape or a shape having rounded ends on an elongated core, but is not limited to either of those shapes as evidenced by the plethora of shapes illustrated in the drawings of the disclosure. In the illustrated shapes, the shapes could be the cross-sectional shape of the core itself to which an abrasive material is attached to conform to the underlying shape of the core or, in an alternative structure, the shape could be the shape of the abrasive material fabric which has been preformed in one or more of the illustrated cross-sectional shapes and which is then affixed to a flat host core.
The entire length of the core need not be covered in abrasive materials, either non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material or otherwise, but may have a portion of the core that is free of an adhesive layer on the first side and on the obverse side of the core, and the portion of the core free of the adhesive layer is further free of non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material and free of abrasive material.
The inventor contemplates that a portion of the core has a curved perimeter portion as well as having cross-sectional shapes ranging from rectangular in cross-section to any of a plethora of cross sectional shapes, some but not all of which are set forth in the specification and drawings.
While the invention is described herein in terms of preferred embodiments and generally associated methods, the inventor contemplates that alterations and permutations of the preferred embodiments and methods will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the specification and a study of the drawings.
Accordingly, neither the above description of preferred exemplary embodiments nor the abstract defines or constrains the invention. Rather, the claims variously define the invention. Each variation of the invention is limited only by the recited limitations of its respective claim, and equivalents thereof, without limitation by other terms not present in the claim.

Claims

1. A salon board comprising:

a core;

a non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material on the core.

2. The salon board of claim 1 wherein the non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material comprises a non-woven abrasive impregnated material suitable for finishing fingernails.

3. The invention in accordance with claim 2 wherein the core comprises a flat board having a first side and an obverse side and the non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material is affixed to the first side of the core.

4. The invention in accordance with claim 3 comprising an abrasive material affixed to the obverse side of the core.

5. The invention in accordance with claim 4 wherein the abrasive material affixed to the obverse side of the core is a non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material.

6. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the core comprises a multisided structure.

7. The invention in accordance with claim 6 wherein the non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material is fixedly attached to at least one surface of the multisided core.

8. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the core comprises a structure having a non-rectangular cross-section transverse to the major axis of the salon board.

9. The invention in accordance with claim 8 wherein the core comprises a structure having a circular cross-section transverse to the major axis of the salon board.

10. The invention in accordance with claim 8 wherein the core comprises a structure having a triangular cross-section transverse to the major axis of the salon board.

11. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the core comprises a block having a multiple sides.

12. The invention in accordance with claim 11 wherein non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material is affixed to at least one side of the multiple sides of the block.

13. The invention in accordance with claim 12 wherein standard abrasive material is affixed to at least one side of the multiple sides of the block.

14. A salon board used to finish fingernails, the salon board comprising:

a core having a first side;

an adhesive in contact with the first side of the core;

a non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material in contact with the adhesive layer on the core whereby the non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material is fixedly coupled to the first side of the core.

15. The salon board of claim 14 wherein the non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material comprises a non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material suitable for finishing fingernails.

16. The salon board of claim 14 wherein the non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material comprises a non-woven abrasive material suitable for finishing toenails.

17. The salon board of claim 14 wherein the non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material comprises a fine-textured abrasive material.

18. The invention in accordance with claim 15 comprising:

the core having an obverse side;

an adhesive in contact with the obverse side of the core;

a standard abrasive material in contact with the adhesive layer on the obverse side of the core, the standard abrasive material fixedly coupled to the obverse side of the core.

19. The invention in accordance with claim 18 further comprising the core having multiple sides.

20. The invention in accordance with claim 19 further comprising one or more of the multiple sides having a standard abrasive material fixedly coupled to one or more of the multiple sides of the core.

21. The invention in accordance with claim 14 further comprising the standard abrasive material covering a portion of the obverse side of the core.

22. The invention in accordance with claim 21 further comprising the standard abrasive material covering less than half of the surface of the obverse side of the core.

23. The invention in accordance with claim 21 further comprising the standard abrasive material covering more than half of the surface of the obverse side of the core.

24. The invention in accordance with claim 14 wherein the standard abrasive material is an abrasive material adhered to a base sheet.

25. The invention in accordance with claim 14 wherein the standard abrasive material is emery paper.

26. The invention in accordance with claim 14 wherein the standard abrasive material is sand paper.

27. The invention in accordance with claim 14 wherein the core is rectangular in shape.

28. The invention in accordance with claim 1 comprising the core being any shape that is functionally graspable by a salon technician.

29. A salon fmishing board comprising:

an core having a first side and an obverse side;

an adhesive layer in contact with the first side of the core and an adhesive layer in contact with the obverse side of the core;

a first non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material in contact with the adhesive layer on the first side of the core whereby the non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material is adhesively coupled to the first side of the core; and

a second non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material in contact with the adhesive layer on the obverse side of the core whereby the non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material is adhesively coupled to the obverse side of the core whereby the salon board has non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material on the first side and on the obverse side of the core.

30. The invention in accordance with claim 29 wherein the abrasive material of the first non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material comprises a medium abrasive material and the abrasive material of the second non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material is a fine textured abrasive material.

31. The invention in accordance with claim 29 comprising the first and the second non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric materials comprise different degrees of abrasiveness.

32. The invention in accordance with claim 29 wherein the first and the second non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material comprise different thicknesses.

33. The invention in accordance with claim 29 wherein the core comprises any shape that is functionally graspable by a salon technician.

34. The invention in accordance with claim 29 further comprising the standard abrasive material covers a portion of the obverse side of the core.

35. The invention in accordance with claim 34 further comprising the standard abrasive material covering less than half of the surface of the obverse side of the core.

36. The invention in accordance with claim 34 further comprising the standard abrasive material covering more than half of the surface of the obverse side of the core.

37. A salon board comprising:

a core having a first side and an obverse side;

a non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material in contact with the adhesive layer on the first side of the core whereby the non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material is fixedly coupled to the first side of the core; and

an abrasive material in contact with the adhesive layer on the obverse side of the core whereby the abrasive material is fixedly coupled to the obverse side of the core.

38. The salon board of claim 37 wherein the first abrasive material comprises a non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material and the second abrasive material comprises a standard abrasive material that is not impregnated onto a non-woven fabric.

39. The invention in accordance with claim 37 wherein the standard abrasive material is emery paper.

40. The invention in accordance with claim 37 wherein the standard abrasive material is sand paper.

41. The invention in accordance with claim 37 comprising the core being rectangular in shape.

42. The invention in accordance with claim 37 further comprising a portion of the core being free of an adhesive layer on the first side and on the obverse side of the core, and the portion of the core free of the adhesive layer is further free of non-woven abrasive impregnated fabric material and free of abrasive material.

43. The invention in accordance with claim 42 further comprising a portion of the core having a curved perimeter portion.