Patent Publication Number: US-2017354438-A1

Title: Systems and Methods of Callus Removal

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure is generally related to pedicures and, more particularly, is related to callus removal. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A callus is a toughened area of skin which has become relatively thick and hard in response to repeated friction, pressure, or other irritation. Rubbing that is too frequent or forceful may cause blisters rather than allow calluses to form. Calluses are most often found on feet because of frequent walking. Calluses are generally not harmful, but may sometimes lead to other problems, such as skin ulceration or infection. 
     On the feet, calluses may form on the small toes due to the compression applied by tightly fitting shoes. Activities that are notorious for causing calluses include (but are not limited to) construction work, many sports, wood carving, playing musical instruments, use of a chef&#39;s knife, Trikke carving, rock climbing, hiking, martial arts, weight training, BMXing, dancing (especially ballet), chopping wood, and wearing high heels. Although often found on the foot (where the most pressure and friction are applied), calluses can occur anywhere on the body as a reaction to moderate, constant “grinding” pressure. It is the natural reaction of the palmar or plantar skin. Too much friction occurring too fast for the skin to develop a protective callus will cause a blister or abrasion instead. 
     Biologically, calluses are formed by the accumulation of terminally undifferentiated keratinocytes in the outermost layer of skin. Though the cells of calluses are dead, they are quite resistant to mechanical and chemical insults due to extensive networks of cross-linked proteins and hydrophobic keratin intermediate filaments containing many disulfide bonds. 
     Sometimes a callus occurs where there is no rubbing or pressure. These hyperkeratoses can have a variety of causes. Some toxic materials, such as arsenic, can cause thick palms and soles. Some diseases, such as syphilis, can cause thickening of the palms and soles as well as pinpoint hyperkeratoses. There is a benign condition called keratosis palmaris et plantaris, which produces corns in the creases of the fingers and non-weight bearing spaces of the feet. Some of this may be caused by actinic keratosis, which occurs due to overexposure to sun or with age and hormonal shifts. 
     Calluses and corns may go away by themselves eventually, once the irritation is consistently avoided. They may also be sanded down with a pumice stone or filed down with a callus shaver. Previous callus removal tools have proven inadequate at safely and hygienically removing calluses. There are heretofore unaddressed needs with these previous devices. 
     SUMMARY 
     Example embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems of callus removal. Briefly described, in architecture, one example embodiment of the system, among others, can be implemented as follows: a callus catcher; and a housing configured to removably receive the callus catcher, the housing further configured to hold a callus removal blade, the blade comprising a front side configured to remove calluses and a back side configured to deposit the removed calluses in the callus catcher. 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure can also be viewed as providing methods for callus catcher. In this regard, one embodiment of such a method, among others, can be broadly summarized by the following steps: placing a callus removal blade in a callus remover housing; placing a clamp in a back side of the housing for mating against the blade, the clamp forming a hollowed area under the blade for collection of removed calluses. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  provides a top side view of an example embodiment of a system of callus removal. 
         FIG. 2  provides a bottom side view of an example embodiment of the system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  provides a top side view of an example embodiment of the system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  provides an exploded view of an example embodiment of the system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  provides an assembled view of an example embodiment of the disclosed systems of callus removal. 
         FIG. 6  provides a flow diagram of an example embodiment of a method of callus removal. 
         FIG. 7  provides a back side view of an example embodiment of the system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded side view of an example embodiment of the clamp of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like elements throughout the several figures, and in which example embodiments are shown. Embodiments of the claims may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The examples set forth herein are non-limiting examples and are merely examples among other possible examples. 
     Example embodiments disclosed herein are largely described in terms of the performance of a pedicure, but are not intended to be limited to pedicures. Pedicures are used in the examples just for the purposes of illustration. When providing a pedicure, a scraping of the bottom of the foot, especially the heel, is often performed to remove calluses. A perforated blade section is moved across the heel to remove the calluses. As the blade removes the calluses, the dead skin is discarded, often to the floor, which may cause an unhygienic environment. 
     Example embodiments of the systems and methods of callus removal disclosed herein comprise a callus catching function to catch the calluses removed by the blade. A clamp on the back side of the blade, comprises a hollowed out section into which the blade deposits the removed calluses. The hollowed area may be formed, for example, by a clamp for holding the blade in a handle. In an example embodiment, the clamp may also comprise a pumice sponge for further use in pedicure processes. The clamp may be removable to allow for removal of the collected calluses into a collection bin. 
     In an example embodiment, the disclosed systems and methods of callus removal comprise a handle, a callus removal blade, and clamp. The handle may be of many different sizes and shapes, but is configured to removably receive the callus removal blade. The clamp may be configured to hold the blade in face as well as collect the calluses removed by the blade. In an example embodiment, the clamp comprises a pumice sponge. 
     In an example embodiment, tabs hold the clamp in the handle and the clamp comprises a hollow chamber to receive the shaved calluses, A tab on either end of the clamp may be used to enable the removal of the clamp from the handle. 
       FIG. 1  provides a top-side view of handle  100  with callus removal blade structure  110  (such as a blade) removably installed. Callus removal blade structure is shown with squared off openings, but any shaped opening will work with the embodiments disclosed herein. Clamp  105  is configured to fit in the bottom side of handle  100  with receiving area  120  for collecting removed calluses. Clamp  105 , including two “U” shaped pieces  125 A,  125 B, clamps implement  130 , such as a pumice stone. Clamp  105  is further described below in connection to  FIG. 8 . 
     Clamp  105  includes raised structure  140  along the peripheral of clamp  105 . Raised structure  140  abuts a back side of callus removal blade structure  110 , an example embodiment of which is shown in  FIG. 4 . Raised structure  140  surrounds individual blades  115  such that it captured calluses that are removed by callus removal blade structure  110 . Callus removal blade structure  110  may be constructed of stainless steel or other appropriate materials. 
     Tabs  170  and  180  are positioned on opposite ends of clamp  105 . Tabs  170  and  180  may simultaneously provide stability and support for clamp  105  while also providing means for removal of clamp  120  from the bottom side of handle  100 . Although, the example embodiments are shown with a long handle with which to hold the implement, no “handle” is actually necessary. Blade  110  and clamp  120  may be housed in a non-handled housing as well. 
       FIG. 2  provides a bottom side view of an example embodiment of the disclosed systems of callus removal. Clamp  220  is removably inserted into handle  200 . With clamp  220  installed, an inner cavity is created by way of the back side of callus removal blade structure  110 , receiving area  120 , implement  130 , and raised structure  140  ( FIG. 1 ) for the collection of calluses removed by the callus removal blade (not shown). Tabs  270  and  280  provide stability for clamp  220  in handle  200 . Tabs  270  and  280  also allow a means to pry clamp  220  out of handle  200 . Removing clamp  220  from handle  200  allows for the removal of the collected calluses. Pumice stone  230  or other implement may be positioned in clamp  220  for performing other useful functions. 
       FIG. 3  provides a top side view of an example embodiment of a system of callus removal as disclosed herein. Handle  300  holds removable blade structure  310 . Removal blade structure  310  may be a grater type of blade such that when removal blade structure  310  is rubbed across a surface, such as the bottom surface of a foot, any calluses or other dried skin areas are removed from the surface and pass through the blade. The removed calluses and skin particles may be collected in a receiving area of clamp  320 , which fits on the back side of handle  300 . Implement  330 , shown as in  FIG. 2 , may comprise a pumice stone or other implement that is useful in pedicure services. Tabs  370  and  380  may serve to stabilize clamp  320  in handle  300 . Tabs  370  and  380  may also be used to ease in the removal of clamp  320  from handle  300 . 
       FIG. 4  provides an exploded view of an example embodiment of the disclosed systems of callus removal comprising handle  400 , blade structure  410 , and clamp  420 . Blade structure  410  is removably placed into handle  400  and clamp  420  holds blade structure  410  in place. In an example embodiment, clamp  420  holds blade structure  410  against side rails  450  and  460 . Alternatively or additionally, blade structure  410  may be attached to handle  400  without clamp  420  as rails  450  and  460  may hold blade structure  410  in position. Similarly, clamp  420  may be attached to handle  400  without blade structure  410  as rails  450  and  460  may hold clamp  420  in position. Alternatively or additionally, clamp  420  may be held in place in handle  400  with one or more protruding nibs  485  that fit into one or more corresponding indentations  475 . Nibs  485  and corresponding indentations  475  may be any suitable shape or size. Also, whereas the example shown in  FIG. 4  comprises nibs  485  on handle  400  and indentations  475  on clamp  420 , the nibs may, instead, be on clamp  420  and indentations  475  may be on handle  400 . In yet another embodiment, handle  400  may comprise both nibs and indentations and clamp  420  may have corresponding indentations and nibs. Implement  430 , shown as in  FIG. 2 , may comprise a pumice stone or other implement that is useful in pedicure services. Tabs  470  and  480  may serve to stabilize clamp  420  in handle  400 . Tabs  470  and  480  may also be used to ease in the removal of clamp  420  from handle  400 . 
       FIG. 5  provides an assembled view of an example embodiment of the disclosed systems of callus removal comprising handle  500 , blade  510 , and clamp  520 . Clamp  520  comprises tab  570 , edge  590  and pumice stone  530 . When clamp  520  is placed in handle  500 , the area under pumice stone  530  forms a hollowed area in which removed calluses from blade  510  are collected. Raised structure  590  abuts against blade structure  510  to hold blade structure  510  in handle  500 . 
       FIG. 6  provides a flow diagram of a method of callus removal. In block  600 , a callus removal blade is placed in the callus remover housing. In block  620 , a clamp is placed in the back side of the housing and mates up against the blade. The clamp forms a hollowed area under the blade for collection of removed calluses. In block  630 , the blade is scraped across a surface. 
     The flow chart of  FIG. 6  shows the architecture, functionality, and operation of a possible implementation of a callus removal tool. It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occur out of the order noted in  FIG. 6 . For example, two blocks shown in succession in  FIG. 6  may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. 
     Back to the structure of the callus removal system, lateral sides  715  of blade  710  fit along ledges  760  along the inside lengths of handle  700 . This allows blade  710  to fit snugly in handle  700  without falling out when used for scraping. Blade  710  may be manually removed with sufficient effort and without damaging blade  710  or handle  700 . Indentation  750  may be located on the inside of one or both lateral sides of handle  700  to aid in removal of blade  710 . The clamp may then be inserted into the handle, snapped into place, covering the back side of the blade  710 . Clamp may be held in place by one or more protruding nibs such that the clamp does not freely disengage from handle  700 . Alternatively, the clamp may comprise one or more nibs on each lateral side that fit into corresponding indentations in handle  700 . However, the clamp may be manually removed with sufficient effort and without damaging the clamp or handle  700 . 
       FIG. 8  provides an exploded view of an example embodiment of the clamp of  FIG. 1 . In an example embodiment, clamp  800  comprises two pieces  810 ,  820  (such as two halves), such that implement  830 , such as a pumice stone, may be inserted into first piece  810 , and second piece  820  may then be snapped together with first piece  810  to hold implement  830 . Each half  820 ,  830  may comprise a tab  870 ,  880 , that fits in an opening in the opposite piece to secure the two halves together. In an example embodiment, each piece  810 ,  820  comprises means  850  for securing implement  830  between pieces  810 ,  820 . Means  850  may comprise any type of abutment to penetrate implement  830  or otherwise secure implement  830  in clamp  800 . Means  850  may be situated along the lateral sides or in any location that would assist in securing implement  830 . Clamp  800 , including pieces  810 ,  820 , and implement  830 , acts as a callus catcher for the skin removed through blade  710  of  FIG. 7 . 
     Although the present disclosure has been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.