Multi-function instrument for pedicure operations or the like

Abstract: Multi-function instrument for pedicure operations or the like, which comprises a body (11) having at least one grip region (33) and at least one coupling region (13,14) for at least one main blade-like tool, (20,26) characterized in that it comprises at least one cap (29,30) for covering the main tool (20,26) connected to at least one secondary tool (31,32).

Description: The present invention relates to a multi-function instrument for pedicure operations or the like. It is known that a wide range of substantially different operations is performed in the field of nonsurgical personal aesthetics, particularly for hands and feet, for example the removal of calluses and/or corny skin, nail cleaning and trimming, etcetera. These operations require adequate tools having often very particular shapes. Specifically in the field of pedicure, in addition to nail cleaning and trimming, operations such as for example the removal of plantar hyperkeratosis are also common. It is therefore evident that pedicure, too, requires a wide range of instruments aimed at effectively performing various operations. Several kinds of pedicure instruments are already commercially available. However, all these known instruments have a single function. More advanced types are also known, wherein the tool proper is interchangeable in order to perform different functions, which are all belonging, however, to the same category, such as for example cutting. The above mentioned instruments, despite excellently performing their functions, have the substantial drawback that they achieve a low ratio between executable operations and number of instruments required to perform them. Even in the most advanced types, although this ratio improves somewhat, instrument replacement is often difficult and slow. EP-A-0 202 139 discloses a manicure tool with multiple functions, consisting of an elongated assembly having a cuticle cutter (10) at one end, a file (11) in a middle portion, and a cleaning tip (12) at the end of the file. Also provided is an external tubular handle (1), for completely housing the elongated assembly, forming a cuticle pushing member (2) at one end and having a cap (13) at the other end solid with fixing means forming a tongue (15) having ends suitably shaped (17, 18, 19, 20) for carrying out cutting, nail edge equalizing, and extracting of pimples of the skin. GB-A-0 658 916 discloses a device for use as a pedicure and manicure file which comprises a metal bar having at one end a tapered point for removing foreign matter from behind nails, and at the other end there is provided a curved end to which a safety razor blade may be removable clamped by means of a complementarily shaped shoe. A central sheath fits over the middle portion of the bar, and end covers are provided which fit telescopically on the ends of the sheath and cover respectively the pointed end and the curved end. The principal aim of the present invention is to provide a multi-function instrument which, without reducing its effectiveness in performing the intended functions, achieves a high ratio of operations executable with a single instrument. Within the scope of this aim, an object of the present invention is to provide a multiple functionality that in no way penalizes the constructive simplicity of the instrument and its use. Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-function instrument that has a low cost and can be manufactured with known technologies. Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-function instrument that facilitates sterilization and is satisfactorily hygienic in use. In accordance with the invention, there is provided a multi-function instrument for pedicure operations as defined in the appended claims. The particular characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of an embodiment thereof, illustrated only by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein: figure 1 is a perspective view of the multi-function instrument according to the invention; figure 2 is a perspective view of the multi-function instrument according to the invention, without the protective caps; figure 3 is an exploded view of a detail of the multi- function instrument according to the invention; figure 4 is a sectional view, taken along a plane passing through a longitudinal axis of the multi-function instrument according to the invention; figure 5 is a view of the detail of figure 3; figure 6 is a view of two tools 26 after blanking from a razor blade. With reference to the above figures, a multi-function instrument for pedicure operations or the like, according to the invention, is generally designated by the reference numeral 10. The multi-function instrument 10 comprises a substantially cylindrical rod-like body 11, provided with a central grip region 12 and with ends 13 and 14 that constitute coupling regions for respective main tools 15 and 16. An annular ridge 17 protrudes proximate to each end 13 and 14. The end 14 is substantially bracket-shaped, and a raised portion 18, having a substantially mushroom-shaped transverse cross-section, protrudes from the surface of said bracket-shaped end. The raised portion 18 is coupled to a slotted hole 19 shaped so as to taper in an end portion and provided in a lance-shaped interchangeable blade 20 having two opposite lateral cutting edges. The blade 20 is fixed to the end 14 by forcing the raised portion 18 inside said tapering contoured portion of the slotted hole 19. The end region 13, which has a smaller diameter than the central region 12, is substantially chisel-shaped and detachably couples without play to a substantially cylindrical sleeve 21 that abuts against the step formed by the difference in diameter between the region 12 and the end 13 and is therefore substantially coaxial to the body 11. The sleeve 21 has an end 22 that is substantially frustum-shaped, with the exception of a portion 22a the shape wereof is obtained by cutting it along a plane inclined with respect to its longitudinal axis at an angle that is substantially equal to the angle of the chisel-like shape of the end 13. A bracket 23 protrudes from the end 22, and two raised portions 25, arranged at the opposite sides of the bracket 23, are formed on the surface of said bracket that faces the longitudinal axis of the sleeve 21; a seat 24 arranged transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve 21 is also formed thereon. A blade 26, which is fixed (but is optionally interchangeable in other embodiments) and obtained by blanking ordinary razor blades, is shaped complementarily with respect to the bracket 23 whereon it is mounted in an operating configuration. Still in an operating configuration, the blade 26 is locked on the bracket 23 by means of the contrasting thrust applied thereto by the chisel-like shape of the end 13, which is inserted in the sleeve 21 in this configuration. More particularly, the blade 26 comprises an active region, constituted by a cutting edge 27 that is substantially straight and lies transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve 21, and by an anchoring region, which lies substantially to the rear if the active region of the cutting edge 27 is considered as frontal; a substantially trapezoidal recess 28 is formed in said anchoring region at each lateral edge of the blade 26 and abuts against the raised portions 25 in the above mentioned operating configuration. The multi-function instrument 10 also comprises two caps 29 and 30 which, when there is no need of using the main tools 15 and 16, cover the ends 13 and 14 to protect the operator from the risk of cuts and to protect the cutting edges from dents and contaminations not caused by their use. More specifically, the caps 29 and 30 couple coaxially to the body 11 and abut against the corresponding raised portions 17. The outside surfaces, in the end regions of said caps 29 and 30, are furthermore shaped so as to form a secondary tool. In particular, the cap 29 has a tip 31 substantially straight and coaxial to the longitudinal axis of the body 11, whereas the cap 30 has a tip 32 slightly curved at its end. Of course, the above described configurations of the caps 29 and 30 are mere examples and said caps may have the most disparate shapes. Finally, both caps 29 and 30 have, on their outer surface, annular antislip grip ridges 33. In the case described herein, the multi-function instrument 10 is disposable and is made of plastics and metals that can undergo gamma-ray sterilization. In practice it has been observed that the intended aim and objects of the present invention have been achieved. It is in fact evident from the above description that a wide range of supports for an equally wide range of tools has been provided on a single body. It should also be noted the extreme facility in changing the configuration of the multi-function instrument and therefore its functional capability. The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the inventive concept. All the details may furthermore be replaced with other technically equivalent elements. In practice, the materials employed, so long as they are compatible with the contingent use, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to the requirements. Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims: Multi-function instrument for pedicure operations or the like, which comprises: a substantially rod-like body (11) having a central grip region (12) and two end coupling regions (13,14) each for a respective one of two main tools (15,16); two caps (29,30) each for a respective one of said main tools (15,16), each one of said two caps (29,30) being connected to a respective one of two secondary tools (30,32); one of said two main tools (15,16) comprising a blade (20) that is detachably fixed to one (14) of said coupling regions by virtue of coupling means (18,19); the other one of said two main tools (15,16) comprising an interchangeable or noninterchangeable blade (26) fixed to the other coupling region (13) by means of an anchoring device (23,24,25,28); one of said two secondary tools being shaped so as to have a straight tip (31) that is substantially coaxial to the longitudinal axis of said body (11); the other one of said two secondary tools being shaped so as to have a tip (32) that is curved with respect to the longitudinal axis of said body (11); said central grip region (12) of said body (11) being exposed when said caps (29,30) are connected to said body (11); said anchoring device comprising a profiled sleeve (21) that couples snugly and detachably to said coupling region (13) and has a bracket-like protrusion (23), said coupling region (13) being chisel-shaped and the blade being locked on the bracket (23) by means of a contrasting thrust applied thereto by the chisel-like shape of the coupling region (13). Multi-function instrument for pedicure operations or the like according to claim 1, characterized in that said body (11) has a substantially cylindrical shape. Multi-function instrument for pedicure operations or the like according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said bracket-like protrusion (23) has a surface that faces the central longitudinal axis of said sleeve (21) and whereon a seat (24), arranged transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of said sleeve (21), and two raised portions (25), arranged on opposite lateral edges of said bracket-like protrusion (23), are formed, said interchangeable blade (26) being shaped complementarily with respect to said bracket-like (23) protrusion. Multi-function instrument for pedicure operations or the like according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that each one of said two secondary tools (31,32) is monolithic with the corresponding one of said caps (29,30). Multi-function instrument for pedicure operations or the like, according to any one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said interchangeable blade is obtained by blanking ordinary razor blades. Multi-function instrument for pedicure operations or the like according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said caps (29,30) couple coaxially to the body (11) and abut against corresponding raised portions (17) protruding proximate to each respective end coupling regions (13,14).

Inventors: GRIGOLETTO LUIGINA, GRIGOLETTO, LUIGINA
Applicants: GRIGOLETTO LUIGINA, GRIGOLETTO, LUIGINA
Application year: 1995
Main classification: A61B17
IPC codes: A61B17