PLASTIC GLOVES, BOOTS AND SLIPPERS COATED WITH AN EMOLLIENT AND SANITIZING FORMULA, INTENDED FOR PROFESSIONAL USE BY MANICURES / PEDICURES, THAT DISPENSE THE USE OF WATER DUE TO PROVIDING HYDRATION OF THE SKIN, NAILS AND CUTICLES BY OCCLUSION

Introduction of the Model/Patent of Invention: The present invention relates to the development of gloves, boots and slippers made of plastic with a thermosealing finish, and coated with an emollient and sanitizing cosmetic formula particularly useful for professional manicure practice.

Description of the Prior Art Pertinent to the Application: The habit of dipping the fingertips in containers that are not always of non-reusable type, containing solutions wherein are diluted shampoos, conditioners, soaps and even body creams not specifically intended for use in the nails and cuticles, is commercially and technically known by practically all patrons of beauty parlors in Brazil. These practices, often associated with a lack of skilled knowledge of the beauty care professionals, promote the spreading of fungi and bacteria that are potential generators of a wide variety of inflammations and infections, of topic or even systemic type.

Regarding diseases acquired in beauty parlors, the one that might constitute the main cause of apprehension to female patrons is the mycosis of the nails or onychomycosis, probably due to its high degree of incidence, as well as its difficult, expensive and lengthy treatment.

Even in comparison with manicure / pedicure procedures that dispense the use of submersion in water (in these cases, the manicure applies a small

amount of conventional hydrating cream over each nail, and then places a small cotton swab over each nail, and finishes by spraying a small amount of water over the thus formed binomial in order to provide an emollient solution), there can be noted the advantages provided by the present invention, which offers increased stability and comfort, as it comes ready to be used and does not detach from the hands, as occurs with the already existing analogue presented herein.

Furthermore, it is quite common that the process of removal of the cuticles be painful and ineffective in addition to causing damage to the matrix structure of the nails, as it becomes necessary to "hurt" this region in order to detach the cuticles to thereby remove the same. In commercial terms, it is noted that an important moment in the female consumers' week (caring for the nails) is totally unassisted with cosmetic products able to contribute positively to these consumers' health and self-esteem.

Introduction of the Existing Problems: The complete absence of specific systems for the small dip bath for the nails and cuticles that precedes the work of the manicure renders the said procedure not quite professional, and causes dried out and /or inflamed cuticles and nails that are often subject to fungal infections. The problem with the cuticles derives from the fact that the same are not adequately conditioned, but rather suffer severe desiccation arising from the extraction thereof with the concurrent use of abrasive products that are both aggressive and inadequate. An inflammation may also ensue from contamination of utensils and tools.

Similarly, the problem with the nails (ungual layers) relates to the fact that the same are subjected to a wet and promiscuous environment, which favors the incidence of cross-contamination and multiplication of a particularly opportunistic and infectious bacterial population. In the absence of procedures to eliminate the possibility of contamination by fungal spores on the ungual layer, the cases of mycosis in dermatology parlors are multiplied. On the other hand, an important moment of treatment is wasted that might otherwise be directed to the process of re-mineralization and consequent strengthening of the nails.

Presentation of the Solution In General Terms: The problems cited to this point are solved with the use of the present invention, since the respective product provides an unprecedented manner of preparing the hands and feet for the services of the manicure and pedicure, as it wraps them within gloves, boots and/or slippers, whereby the use of water is entirely avoidable, in addition to being intended for strictly individual use (more hygienic) and providing an incomparable result in terms of degree of skin hydration, since the formula acts by occlusion. Complementarily, the product provides antiseptic effects to the nails and cuticles, cuticle conditioning and replacement of calcium and keratin.

Detailed Description of the Invention: The invention is based on the association of an emollient cream, with the addition of sanitizing agents, embodied in the structure of a light cream (95% water - O/W emulsion) applied inside gloves, slippers and boots of plastic material (for manicure and pedicure practice) allowing prompt use and safe and practical application. The formulation further takes into consideration that Brazil is the only country in the world that uses a technique of almost total removal of the cuticles. Thus, the

blend of antiseptics applied in the formulation is entirely directed at that condition. It should be noted that since the emollient content of the boots, slippers and gloves has antiseptic and antifungal properties, the use of the present invention sanitizes the hands and feet prior to the contact therewith by the manicure, thereby protecting the health of that professional and protecting the materials and work utensils used thereby and the very environment.

Presentation and Description of the Drawings: The process according to the present invention is further explained by means of the attached drawings, wherein Figure 1 depicts the glove coated with an emollient solution, where there may be noted the plastic glove (1.1) and the internal distribution of the emollient contained therein (1.2). Similarly, Figures 2 and 3 show the coating of plastic slippers and boots, where the difference between these two models consists merely in the extent of hydration intended to be provided. Thus, the plastic slipper (2.1) coated with an emollient solution (2.2) provides hydration and preparation for the manicure procedure for the feet only, and the plastic boots (3.1) also reach halfway up the legs with their emollient content (3.2).

Example and Comparative Example: In view of the advantages set forth to this point, we note that a consumer that adopts the present invention will be able to use the time rendered available for the manicure procedure to nourish and hydrate the skin and nails, and will still enjoy a substantial reduction of probabilities of contracting some type of mycosis, in addition to perfuming the hands and feet. The manicure also enjoys the benefit of easier conditions to remove the cuticles, in addition to the elimination of expenses otherwise incurred with hydrating creams. Presently, the consumers use in their fingers, nails and cuticles products both abrasive and not quite specific, that might dry

out the structures in contact with the solution, compromise the skin's natural defense barriers, and also become subject to the risk of contracting mycoses and other diseases arising from high client turnover and carelessness with regard to sanitization of materials. For purposes of comparison we might analyze the table below, wherein the present invention is compared with the application of conventional hydrating cream on the nail followed by superimposing thereon a wet piece of cotton.

Comparative Table: The Example corresponds to the present invention, and the Comparative Example corresponds to an emollient solution, with practically random measures, prepared with hydrating cream and water.

It will be appreciated that variations of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Also that various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.