Cosmetic abrasive pad and method for scrubbing the epidermis

• US 6,290,707 B1
• Filed: 01/21/2000
• Issued: 09/18/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Vernon D. Street
• Original Assignee: Vernon D. Street
• Inventors: Street, Vernon D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mancene, Gene
• Assistant Examiner(s): ROBERT, EDUARDO C
• Application Number:
  US09/496,976
• Time in Patent Office: 606 Days
• Field of Search: 606/131, 151/049.3, 151/049.4, 152/27, 152/291.3, 152/291.1, 152/091
• US Class Current: 606/131
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/54 Chiropodists' instruments , e.g. pedicure chiropractic devices A61H1/008
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320004 abrasive
• CPC Class Codes: B24D 11/006 without embedded abrasive particles
• CPC Class Codes: B24D 15/04 resilient; with resiliently-mounted operative surface
• CPC Class Codes: B24D 3/28 Resins or natural or synthetic macromolecular compounds B24D3/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B24D 9/085 Devices for mounting sheets on a backing plate

Abstract

A cosmetic pad for use in removing surface detritus from the skin at pressures a lay person can apply in scrubbing the skin is comprised of a segment of lofty, fibrous, non-woven structure of mixed denier organic (e.g., nylon or polyester) crimped filaments bonded at contacting points with a binder such as thermosetting resin and containing finely divided, biocompatible, soft abrasive particles. The cosmetic abrasive pad of the present invention is advantageously configured for safe, convenient use by a person scrubbing one'"'"'s self, in the home. In one embodiment of the cosmetic abrasive pad of the present invention, a circular abrasive segment is detachably affixed to a circular handpiece carrying a flexible web bearing hook fasteners on one side and a hand loop or finger loop. The circular handpiece hook fasteners (e.g., Velcro® brand hook fasteners) releasably engage with the fibers of the abrasive segment and permit the user to adjust the position of the abrasive segment on the handpiece. In an alternative embodiment, two substantially rectangular abrasive segments, preferably of differing grades of abrasive aggressiveness, are stitched together on three sides in a laminated structure including two layers of a soft, porous fabric to form a scrubbing mitt having an opening sized to receive a user'"'"'s hand; the two abrasive segments are positioned on either side and are disposed to present abrasive exterior surfaces having differing grades of abrasive so that a user can use either side by rotating the inserted hand within the mitt to select the appropriate cosmetic abrasive pad surface for scrubbing, to remove detritus or the like from the skin.

Claims

1. A cosmetic method for removing detritus including dead skin cells from an horny corneal layer of an epidermis, comprising:

inserting a user'"'"'s hand within a mitt including a first cosmetic abrasive pad having a first segment of lofty, fibrous, non-woven structure mixed denier filament;

said filaments contacting one another at contacting points and being bonded to one another at said contacting points;

said contacting points being bonded with a binder and carrying biocompatible abrasive particles; and

wiping the surface of the epidermis with the cosmetic abrasive mitt to remove at least part of the dead skin cells of the horny corneal layer of the epidermis, and

accumulating removed skin cells in said lofty, fibrous, non-woven structure mixed denier filaments carrying biocompatible abrasive particles.

2. The method of claim 1 further including the step of:

rotating the hand within the mitt to bring to bear a second cosmetic abrasive pad having a second segment of lofty, fibrous, non-woven structure mixed denier filaments;

said filaments contacting one another at contacting points and being bonded to one another at said contacting points;

said contacting points being bonded with a binder and carrying a second grade of biocompatible abrasive particles finer than the particles on the first abrasive pad segment; and

wiping the surface of the epidermis with said second cosmetic abrasive pad.

3. A cosmetic method for removing detritus including dead skin cells from an horny corneal layer of an epidermis, comprising:

grasping a proximal end of an elongated handle carrying a cosmetic abrasive pad on a handle distal end, said cosmetic abrasive padding including a segment of lofty, fibrous, non-woven structure of mixed denier filaments;

said filaments contacting one another at contacting points and being bonded to one another at said contacting points;

said contacting points being bonded with a binder and carrying biocompatible abrasive particles; and

wiping the surface of the epidermis with the cosmetic abrasive pad to remove at least part of the dead skin cells of the horny corneal layer of the epidermis, and

accumulating the removed dead skin cells in said lofty, fibrous, non-woven structure mixed denier filaments carrying biocompatible abrasive particles.

4. The method of claim 3 when said wiping step comprises wiping the surface of the skin between adjacent toes to remove dead skin cells from between the toes.

5. A cosmetic abrasive pad for use in scrubbing a section of skin to remove detritus, comprising:

a handpiece carrying a segment of lofty, fibrous, non-woven structure of crimped or bent filaments;

said filaments contacting one another at contacting points and being bonded to one another at said contacting points and defining a plurality of interstitial voids therebetween;

said contacting points being bonded with a binder and containing biocompatible abrasive particles; and

said handpiece comprising a flexible mitt having an opening sized to receive at least part of a user'"'"'s hand and having first and second opposing sides, wherein at least one side of said mitt is covered in said segment of lofty, fibrous, non-woven structure of mixed denier filaments;

said filaments contacting one another at contacting points and being bonded to one another at said contacting points;

said contacting points being bonded with a binder and containing biocompatible abrasive particles.

6. The cosmetic abrasive pad of claim 5, wherein said flexible mitt first side includes said segment of lofty, fibrous, non-woven structure of mixed denier filaments;

said filaments contacting one another at contacting points and being bonded to one another at said contacting points;

said contacting points being bonded with a binder and containing biocompatible abrasive particles of a first coarseness;

wherein said second side further includes a second segment of lofty, fibrous, non-woven structure of mixed denier filaments;

said filaments contacting one another at contacting points and being bonded to one another at said contacting points;

said contacting points being bonded with a binder and containing coarser biocompatible abrasive particles as compared to the first coarseness of said biocompatible abrasive particles of said segment carried on said first side, said second segment being carried on said second side.

7. A cosmetic abrasive pad for use in scrubbing a section of skin to remove detritus, comprising:

a handpiece carrying a segment of lofty, fibrous, non-woven structure of crimped or bent filaments;

said filaments contacting one another at contacting points and being bonded to one another at said contacting points and defining a plurality of interstitial voids therebetween;

said contacting points being bonded with a binder and containing biocompatible abrasive particles; and

said handpiece comprising a substantially rigid elongate handle having a proximal end opposing a distal end carrying a segment of lofty, fibrous, non-woven structure of mixed denier filaments;

said filaments contacting one another at contacting points and being bonded to one another at said contacting points;

said contacting points being bonded with a binder and containing biocompatible abrasive particles.

8. The cosmetic abrasive pad of claim 7, said elongate handle having a first side opposing a second side and said segment of lofty, fibrous, non-woven structure of mixed denier filaments;

said filaments contacting one another at contacting points and being bonded to one another at said contacting points;

said contacting points being bonded with a binder and containing biocompatible abrasive particles being carried on said first side.

9. The cosmetic abrasive pad of claim 7, further including a second segment of lofty, fibrous, non-woven structure of mixed denier filaments;

said filaments contacting one another at contacting points and being bonded to one another at said contacting points;

said contacting points being bonded with a binder and containing coarser biocompatible abrasive particles as compared to the biocompatible abrasive particles of said segment carried on said first side, said second segment being carried on said second side.