Manicure soaking bowl and method

Abstract

A manicure soaking bowl and method uses in one embodiment a soaking bowl with a disposable inside liner which can be discarded with the contents after each use. The liner has a lip which fits on the rim of the bowl facilitating removal and replacement. The liner is shaped or molded from a thin plastic sheet. The bowl may have a special recess for the fingers. The invention minimizes the transmission of disease or infection. In other embodiments the bowl or liner is made of an impervious non-porous material such as stainless steel, galvanized steel, aluminum or alloys thereof, or glass for cleaning and reuse. Liners made of these materials are not disposable.

1 . A method of preparing a hand for a manicure, comprising the steps of providing a disposable liner in a soaking bowl, filling the liner with a soapy solution, placing the fingers of the hand in the soaking bowl to soak for a period of time to clean and soften the fingers, removing the fingers from the bowl, and removing the liner and solution from the bowl for disposal. 
     
     
         2 . A method as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the disposable liner is provided with an outwardly directed upper lip adapted to be seated on the rim of the underlying soaking bowl. 
     
     
         3 . A method as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the disposable liner is a thin gauge molded plastic sheet. 
     
     
         4 . A soaking bowl for a manicure comprising a bowl adapted to accommodate the fingers of a person receiving the manicure, a disposable liner fitting in the bowl and containing the soaking solution, said disposable liner being removable from the bowl to dispose of the liner and solution after each use. 
     
     
         5 . A soaking bowl as set forth in  claim 4  wherein the bowl and liner include recesses accommodating the fingers of the user. 
     
     
         6 . A soaking bowl as set forth in  claim 5  wherein the liner is a thin gauge molded plastic sheet. 
     
     
         7 . A soaking bowl as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein the liner has a horizontal outwardly directed lip fitting on the rim of the soaking bowl. 
     
     
         8 . A method of preparing a hand for a manicure, comprising the steps of providing a soaking bowl made of impervious material, filling the bowl, placing the fingers of the hand in the soaking bowl to soak for a period of time to clean or soften the fingers, and cleaning the bowl for reuse. 
     
     
         9 . A method as set forth in  claim 8  wherein the impervious bowl is a liner. 
     
     
         10 . A method as set forth in  claim 9  wherein the liner is provided with an outwardly directed upper lip adapted to be seated on the rim of the underlying soaking bowl. 
     
     
         11 . A method as set forth in  claim 8  wherein the bowl is made of stainless steel, galvanized steel, aluminum or alloys thereof or glass. 
     
     
         12 . A method as set forth in  claim 9  wherein the liner is made of stainless steel, galvanized steel, aluminum or alloys thereof, or glass. 
     
     
         13 . A soaking bowl for a manicure comprising a bowl adapted to accommodate the fingers of a person receiving the manicure, said bowl being made of an impervious material for cleaning and reuse. 
     
     
         14 . A soaking bowl as set forth in  claim 13  wherein the bowl is made of stainless steel, galvanized steel, aluminum or alloys thereof, or glass. 
     
     
         15 . A soaking bowl as set forth in  claim 14  the bowl is in the form of a liner.