Patent Application
20240277130
A portion of the disclosure of this patent contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
The present invention relates to a manicure multi-tool. In particular, it relates to a manicure tool having a cuticle cutter, a cuticle pusher, and a bristle head in a single tool.
The use of a manicure to improve the appearance and health of fingernails and toenails is well known. There are numerous tools used by a manicurist in a spa situation. These include cuticle scissors, clippers, pushers, cuticle devices, and the like. So depending on the particular manicure, several tools can be employed. Many of these tools can perform a second function as well as its primary function. This creates a problem of access to the tools. In the spa, a tray of tools is utilized but that requires searching for each tool.
There are some solutions designed for transporting or storing multiple separate tools. These devices are designed for transporting tools from one location to the other.
Combination multi-tools are well known but the prior art (US2017/0042307) teaches that there are several problems associated with multi-tools that make them undesirable for use with manicure tools. Yet a solution to handle multiple tools in the spa setting remains elusive.
The present invention relates to the discovery that one particular set of manicure tools works well in a pivotal, multi-tool device in the spa setting, contrary to the prior art teaching. These particular tools are almost always used in succession and by limiting the tool to three tools (with two tools on one tool), it overcomes the problems as described above.
Accordingly, in one embodiment, there is a combination manicure tool consisting of:
While this invention is susceptible to embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings, and will herein be described in detail, specific embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure of such embodiments is to be considered as an example of the principles and not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments shown and described. In the description below, like reference numerals are used to describe the same, similar, or corresponding parts in the several views of the drawings. This detailed description defines the meaning of the terms used herein and specifically describes embodiments in order for those skilled in the art to practice the invention.
The terms “about” and “essentially” mean±10 percent.
The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or as more than one. The term “plurality”, as used herein, is defined as two or as more than two. The term “another”, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having”, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled”, as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically.
The term “comprising” is not intended to limit inventions to only claiming the present invention with such comprising language. Any invention using the term comprising could be separated into one or more claims using “consisting” or “consisting of” claim language, and is so intended.
Reference throughout this document to “one embodiment”, “certain embodiments”, “an embodiment”, or similar terms means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of such phrases in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments without limitation.
The term “or”, as used herein, is to be interpreted as an inclusive or meaning any one or any combination. Therefore, “A, B, or C” means any of the following: “A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B, and C”. An exception to this definition will occur only when a combination of elements, functions, steps, or acts are in some way inherently mutually exclusive.
The drawings featured in the figures are for the purpose of illustrating certain convenient embodiments of the present invention and are not to be considered as limitation thereto. The term “means” preceding a present participle of an operation indicates a desired function for which there is one or more embodiments, i.e., one or more methods, devices, or apparatuses for achieving the desired function and that one skilled in the art could select from these or their equivalent in view of the disclosure herein, and use of the term “means” is not intended to be limiting.
As used herein, the term “manicure” refers to taking care of the fingernails or toe nails of a person for health and aesthetic reasons. As used in the claims, a manicure refers to cuticle and nail care specifically trimming and shaping the cuticle and polishing the nail on the hand or foot.
As used herein, the term “manicure tool” refers to in the general sense of any tool used during a spa manicure. As used in the claims, non-removable manicure tools refer to cuticle cutter, cuticle pusher, and nail brush or buffer. They are hingedly fixed to the housing as shown in the drawings. “Removable tools” refers to any tool used in a manicure that can fit in the compartment of the housing, i.e., loose tools.
As used herein, the term “combination” refers to two manicure tools on the same device, handle, and the like. In the present invention, it refers to a combination buffer/brush and a cuticle pusher on the same handle.
As used herein, the term “cuticle tools” refers to the combination of nail brush, cuticle pusher, and cuticle cutter.
As used herein, the term “housing” refers to a device for folding the cuticle tools into much like a pocket knife. It includes hinges for non-removably attaching the cuticle tools and a compartment for storage. The hinges can be arranged on the same or opposite sides as desired.
As used herein, the term “pivotally non-removable” refers to the cuticle tools being attached to the housing hinges in a manner that they cannot be removed without great difficulty or without destroying the hinge (i.e., designed to not be removed from the housing).
As used herein, the term “compartment” refers to any kind of a space within another space, i.e., within the housing, but they're not spaces that stand on their own. Rather, compartments are part of other spaces; they are subdivisions. In this case, they are designed to contain other tools or items related to manicure, making it good for both spa use and for travel when necessary. A compartment may have a door handle or the like, to aid in opening the compartment.
As used herein, the term “removable” refers to anything placed in the compartment, is not attached to the housing, and may be removed merely by opening the compartment.
Those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains, may make modifications resulting in other embodiments employing principles of the present invention without departing from its spirit or characteristics, particularly upon considering the foregoing teachings. Accordingly, the described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative, and not restrictive, and the scope of the present invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description or drawings. Consequently, while the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, modifications of structure, sequence, materials, and the like apparent to those skilled in the art still fall within the scope of the invention as claimed by the Applicant.
