The object of the present invention is a nail and cuticle clipper for cosmetic use.

In particular, the present invention refers to a nail and cuticle clipper for cutting nails, cuticles or superfluous skin of fingers and /or feet and that is apt for personal hygiene and for use by professionals in the sector of cosmetic laboratories or beauty centres for manicures and/or pedicures. In the state of the art, there are known nail trimmers and clippers of various types that are equipped with blades of different sizes, based on the type of use needed by the user. Prior-art nail trimmers come in different dimensions also based on the fact that they need to be usable for adults and children or infants for whom there is an intrinsic difference in the pressure to be exerted for the cut to be made.

In the state of the art, the nail trimmers and clippers utilized for personal hygiene and for use in cosmetic laboratories and beauty centres entail several drawbacks. Such drawbacks often make the nail trimmers and clippers difficult to handle, above all because of poor flexibility in use and considerable costs, which shall be described further herein below.

One drawback consists in the fact that each one of the nail trimmers or clippers of the prior art has a particular type of blade, in terms of dimensions and shape, based on its particular type of employment. In other words, for each specific procedure to be carried out, a nail trimmer or clipper having a blade of a pre-established shape and/or dimensions must be used.

This drawback forces the professional who is performing a cosmetic service to be equipped with a set of nail trimmers and clippers, which involves considerable costs and considerable volumes in the UV sterilizer. Likewise, for the purposes of personal hygiene, a user is forced to purchase a certain number of nail trimmers and clippers in order to be able to perform the procedures, starting from nail cutting on through to cuticle cutting. A further drawback lies in the fact that a set of numerous nail trimmers and clippers constitutes a problem for the sterilization of these same tools between one cosmetic treatment session and the next. In fact, if the nail trimmers and clippers employed are to undergo sterilization, they will clearly not be immediately available for subsequent use until the sterilization process has been completed and therefore, the professional/user is forced to be equipped with at least two sets of nail trimmers and clippers substantially made up of the same pieces and models so as to utilize them alternately between the sterilization process and operative use.

An aim of the present invention is to resolve one or more of the problems found in the prior art, offering a nail and cuticle clipper for cosmetic use that is free from the drawbacks cited herein.

Therefore, an aim of the present invention is to make available a nail and cuticle clipper device for cosmetic use that enables more flexible and convenient use for the user who employs it, while also making its application on the patient/user more comfortable.

A further aim of the present invention is to realize a nail and cuticle clipper for cosmetic use that makes it possible to adjust the cutting force based on the type of procedure to be performed and also based on the type of patient. An additional, different aim of the present invention is to make available a nail and cuticle clipper that is easily convertible and adaptable to all conditions of employment required by the user, thereby reducing purchasing costs.

Some of these and other aims are substantially achieved by a nail and cuticle clipper for cosmetic use in accordance with that which is set forth in one or more of the appended claims.

Further characteristics and advantages will become more apparent from the detailed description of some non-exclusive embodiments of a nail and cuticle clipper for cosmetic use according to the present invention. This description is provided with reference to the accompanying figures, which are also provided purely by way of illustrative and thus non-limiting example, of which:

- Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of a nail and cuticle clipper for cosmetic use according to the present invention;

- Figure 1 A is a detailed side view of the nail and cuticle clipper of Figure 1 , with several parts being concealed so as to highlight others not visible otherwise;

- Figure 1 B is a plan view of the nail and cuticle clipper of Figure 1 in an at-rest state according to the present invention;

- Figure 2 is a schematic plan view of a nail and cuticle clipper for cosmetic use in a different embodiment according to the present invention;

- Figure 3 is a schematic plan view of a nail and cuticle clipper for cosmetic use in an additional, different embodiment according to the present invention;

- Figure 3A is a detailed schematic view of the nail and cuticle clipper of Figure 3, with several parts being concealed so as to highlight others not visible otherwise.

- Figure 3A is a detailed schematic view of the nail and cuticle clipper, according to a different configuration, with several parts being concealed so as to highlight others not visible otherwise.

- Figure 3C is a detailed schematic view of the nail and cuticle clipper, according to an additional, different configuration, with several parts being concealed so as to highlight others not visible otherwise.

With reference to Figures 1 -3 attached hereto, different embodiments of a nail and cuticle clipper 10 for cosmetic use according to the inventive concept of the present invention are illustrated by way of non-limiting example.

Several technical features of the present invention are identifiable as shared features of the various embodiments of the nail and cuticle clipper

10 for cosmetic use. In particular, the nail and cuticle clipper 10 according to the present invention comprises cutting means 20 and at least one activating element 30 that is operatively associated with the cutting means 20.

More specifically, the cutting means 20 comprises at least one pair of blades 21 a and 21 b facing each other so as to cut a nail, cuticle or skin that may be inserted between them (not illustrated in the attached figures). The blades 21 a and 21 b of the pair of blades 21 are movable in accordance with a movement in which the blades approach each other in an operative state for use of the nail and cuticle clipper 10, which is described further herein below.

At a first end 31 , the activating element 30 comprises a handle-shaped portion predisposed for gripping the nail and cuticle clipper 10, and at a second and 32, opposite the first end 31 , a constraining portion 33 constraining the cutting means 20 and configured so that the activating element 30 is operatively associated with said cutting means 20 in an operative state for use of the nail and cuticle clipper 10 for cosmetic use. In particular, the constraining portion 33 constraining the activating element 30 comprises a fulcrum 34 for enabling relative movement between the activating element 30 and the cutting means 20.

Preferably, the fulcrum 34 is also apt for realizing a reversible constraint between the cutting means 20 and the activating element 30, in an operative state for use of the nail and cuticle clipper 10 for cosmetic use. The relative movement between the activating element 30 and the cutting means 20 by means of the fulcrum 34 makes it possible to realize at least a movement in which the pair of blades 21 a, 21 b approach each other in an operative state for use of the nail and cuticle clipper 10 for cosmetic use.

Advantageously, the nail and cuticle clipper 10 for cosmetic use further comprises selection means 40 associated with the activating element 34 for switching the cutting means 20 between a plurality of operative cutting states. In particular, each one of the pre-established operative states corresponds to specific modes of the approaching movement of the blades 21 a, 21 b.

In further detail, operative cutting states are understood as a plurality of configurations for use of the nail and cuticle clipper 10 for cosmetic use as a function of the force it needs to exert and/or the type of cut to be made in order to cut a part, for example a cuticle or similar part.

In other words, the selection means 40 makes it possible to switch the cutting means 20 of the nail and cuticle clipper 10 so that in one case the nail and cuticle clipper 10 is compact and easy to handle so as to exert a force between the blades 21 a, 21 that is suitable for cutting a cuticle or superfluous skin. In accordance with a different switching of the cutting means 20 of the nail and cuticle clipper 10, it makes it possible to exert a greater force between the blades 21 a, 21 b that is suitable for sectioning a nail or a part that is stiffer compared to a cuticle.

Referring now to an embodiment of the present invention, schematically illustrated in Figure 1 by way of non-limiting, illustrative example, the nail and cuticle clipper 10 for cosmetic use has cutting means 20 that includes a forked element 22. The forked element 22 is such as to extend starting from an open end 23 to a joining end 24, that is, the portion of the fork where the arms 25 of the fork are joined.

In particular, the forked element 22 exhibits the pair of blades 21 a, 21 b at the open end 23 thereof. The pair of blades 21 a, 21 b is preferably realized on the forked element 22, even more preferably the arms 25 of the forked element 22 are realized as a single structural piece, that is, they are fashioned from a single piece of material.

The forked element 22 is preferably configured in such a manner as to enable passage from a normal at-rest state in which the blades 21 a, 21 b, and partially also the arms 25, are spaced apart, to an operative state for use with a mutually approaching movement of the blades 21 a, 21 b, and partially also the arms 25, by means of the intervention of a user on the activating element 30. The forked element 22 is preferably made of metal characterized by flexibility and the arms 25 thereof are shaped so that the blades 21 a, 21 b are normally spaced apart from each other.

Alternatively, the forked element 22 can comprise an elastic element (not illustrated in the attached figures) between the arms 25 so that the same elastic pressure is obtained in such a manner that the blades 21 a, 21 b are normally spaced apart from each other and the closing movement is reversible, enabling opening of the arms 25 immediately thereafter.

The nail and cuticle clipper 10, according to the present embodiment, has at least one of the respective arms 25 extending along a curved line "L" from the end 24 joining the arms 25 towards the open end 23 of the forked element 22.

Preferably, both arms 25 of the forked element 22 extend along respective curved lines "L" and "M" that are equal and symmetric with respect to a longitudinal direction "X" of arrangement of the forked element 22. The respective lines of curvature "L" and "M" of the two arms 25 can extend in space in such a manner as to define a three-dimensional curvature, that is to say, a curvature that does not lie only in one plane, but extends in space (compare for example the view of the shaped element 22 in Figure 1 , attached hereto, with Figure 1 A, attached hereto).

In particular, in Figure 1 , the forked element 22 of the nail and cuticle clipper 10 is illustrated in a plan view with an arcuate shape converging at the blades 21 a, 21 b and thus functional to the cutting and/or sectioning of any nail, cuticle or skin inserted between them. In Figure 1 A, attached hereto, the forked element 22 of the nail and cuticle clipper 10 is illustrated in a side view, said element 22 having an additional arcuate shape of the lines of curvature "L" and "M" that brings the blades 21 a, 21 b away, or in a distal position, with respect to a central portion 26 of the arms 25 of the shaped element 22.

The nail and cuticle clipper 10 further comprises connection means 50 configured to realize a reversible constraint between the cutting means 20 and the activating element 30 at the fulcrum 34, associated with the activating element 30, and at a central portion 26 of the forked element 22, respectively, the central portion 26 being comprised between the open end 23 and the joining end 24. In other words, the cutting means 20 and the activating element 30 are mechanically connected to each other by means of the connection means 50 that enables relative movement between them, while also realizing a stable connection at least in an operative state for use of the nail and cuticle clipper 10.

Preferably, the connection means 50 comprises at least one shaped pin 51 preferably fastened at the fulcrum 34 of the activating element 30 and at least one hole 52 that is realized on an arm 25 of the cutting means 20 and suitable for enabling passage of the shaped pin 51 at least partially through the above-mentioned arm 25, as illustrated by way of example in Figure 1 A attached hereto.

The hole 52 is preferably a through hole that passes transversely through both arms 25 of the forked element 22 so as to enable complete passage of the shaped pin 51 through one end to the other of the shaped element 22, as illustrated schematically in Figure 1 attached hereto.

Locking of this coupling between the cutting means 20 and the activating element 30 takes place by means of a locking element (not illustrated in the attached figures) that is insertable in the end portion of the shaped pin 51 that projects out from the arm 25 of the forked element 22 and makes it possible to retain the activating element 30 reversibly coupled to the cutting means 20; this configuration is substantially the configuration taken on during use of the nail and cuticle clipper 10.

Advantageously, in the present embodiment of the nail and cuticle clipper 10 for cosmetic use, the selection means 40 is defined by the connection means 50. In other words, the connection means 50 is such as to act as selection means 40 enabling the coupling/decoupling of the cutting means 20 from the activating element 30, with reference for example to an operative state for use of the nail and cuticle clipper 10 or to a state in which the nail and cuticle clipper 10 is disassembled and placed within a UV sterilizer.

The action of the activating element 30 on the cutting means 20 in an operative state for use of the nail and cuticle clipper 10 for cosmetic use is described in detail below.

In further detail, the activating element 30 has a shaped protrusion 35 in the constraining portion 33, and therefore also at the fulcrum 34, the protrusion 35 being operatively engaged onto a contact portion 27 of an arm 25 of the forked element 22.

In fact, resting on the contact portion 27 of an arm 25 of the forked element 22, the shaped protrusion 35 makes it possible to convert a relative rotation movement of the activating element 30 with respect to the cutting means 20, preferably about the fulcrum 34, into a rotational and translational movement of the pair of blades 21 a, 21 b towards/away from each other in an operative state for use of the nail and cuticle clipper 10. In other words, the shaped protrusion 35 disposed in the constraining portion 33 of the activating element 30 acts as a mechanical cam, which, by means of the rotation of the activating element 30 about the fulcrum 34 by action of a user, makes it possible to push at least one arm 25 of the forked element 22 towards the opposite arm 25, with respect to the at-rest position, putting the blades 21 a, 21 b in contact with each other, thereby cutting any nail, cuticle or skin inserted between them.

In an at-rest state, the nail and cuticle clipper 10 for cosmetic use of the present embodiment, which is schematically illustrated in Figure 1 B attached hereto, is such that the activating element 30 is rotated by approximately 180° about the fulcrum 34, with respect to the operative state for use illustrated in Figure 1 , so as to draw close to the nearest arm 25 (substantially the arm 25 on which the protrusion 35 rests in a state for use) so as to take on a more compact form. Alternatively, by acting upon the selection means 40, the cutting means 20 can be disengaged from the activating element 30 in order to place the nail and cuticle clipper 10, for example, in a travel case or in a drawer for professional instruments for cosmetic use or in a UV sterilizer.

Referring now to an additional embodiment of the nail and cuticle clipper 10, in accordance with the inventive concept of the present invention and as illustrated schematically in Figure 2 attached hereto, the nail and cuticle clipper 10 for cosmetic use comprises an additional activating element 30a that is operatively associated with the activating element 30 and in turn, both being associated with the forked element 22.

The additional activating element 30a is preferably associated at its constraining portion 33a so as to enable relative rotation between the additional activating element 30a and the activating element 30, even more preferably relative rotation between the two activating elements 30, 30a about the fulcrum 34.

Advantageously, the relative rotation between the additional activating element 30a and the activating element 30 by means of the shaped protrusion 35 that acts as a mechanical cam between the constraining portion 33 of the activating element 30 and an arm 25 of the shaped element 22, enables movement of the pair of blades 21 a, 21 b towards/away from each other in an operative state for use of the nail and cuticle clipper 10.

Preferably, the movement of the pair of blades 21 a, 21 b towards/away from each other is made possible by means of an elastic element (unillustrated) such as a spring, which is associated with the activating element and with the additional activating element 30a so as to maintain an open position of the blades 21 a, 21 b at least in an at-rest state of the nail and cuticle clipper 10. By way of example, the elastic element can be disposed between the activating element 30 and the additional activating element 30a in an area comprised between the fulcrum 34 and the first end 31 , 31 a of the above-mentioned activating elements 30, 30a.

In this embodiment as well, the nail and cuticle clipper 10 comprises connection means 50 configured to realize a reversible constraint between the cutting means 20 and the activating elements 30, 30a.

The connection means 50 is preferably disposed at the fulcrum 34 of the activating element 30 and/or of the additional activating element 30a and a central portion 26 of the forked element 22, respectively, the central portion being comprised between the open end 23 and the joining end 24. It should be understood that in terms of technical features, and of dimensions and shapes, relating to the connection of the cutting means 20 with the activating element 30, the activating element 30 and the additional activating element 30a have complementary shapes and are thus invertible in their positions with respect to the longitudinal direction "X" of the nail and cuticle clipper 10.

In particular, the connection means 50 comprises at least one shaped pin 51 preferably fastened at the fulcrum 34 of the activating element 30, at least one hole 52 passing transversely through the arms 25 of the forked element 22 and suitable for enabling the passage of the pin 51 , and a shaped portion 36 disposed at the second end 32a of the additional activating element 30a. The shaped portion 36 is suitable for receiving the shaped pin 51 at least partially and locking it reversibly in position so that the activating element 30 and the additional activating element 30a are operatively associated with the cutting means 20 in a state for use of the nail and cuticle clipper 10.

Advantageously, in this embodiment of the nail and cuticle clipper 10 for cosmetic use, the selection means 40 is defined by the connection means 50. In other words, the connection means 50 is such as to act as selection means 40 enabling the coupling/decoupling of the cutting means 20 from the activating element 30, with reference for example to an operative state for use of the nail and cuticle clipper 10 or to a state in which the nail and cuticle clipper 10 is disassembled so as to enable, by way of example, the insertion of additional cutting means 20 or to enable UV sterilization of the cutting means 20 after use.

This embodiment makes available a nail and cuticle clipper 10 that has two activating elements 30, 30a, for enabling implementation of the movement for cutting/sectioning a nail, cuticle or skin inserted between the blades 21 a, 21 b of the cutting means 20 with strong force.

With reference now to an additional, different embodiment of the nail and cuticle clipper 10, in accordance with the inventive concept of the present invention and schematically illustrated in Figure 3 attached hereto, the nail and cuticle clipper 10 for cosmetic use comprises an additional activating element 30a that is operatively coupled to the activating element 30 at the respective constraining portions 33a, 33 so as to enable relative rotation between the activating elements 30, 30a and simultaneously cause at least movement of the pair of blades 21 a, 21 b towards each other in an operative state for use of the nail and cuticle clipper 10 for cosmetic use. The additional activating element 30a and the activating element 30 are preferably operatively cross-coupled by means of the fulcrum 34, which is configured in the form of a hinge between the activating elements 30, 30a. In other words, the constraint that makes it possible to associate at least the activating elements 30, 30a operatively is a fulcrum 34, which, owing to the kinematics realized, is attributable to a mechanical hinge 34.

Preferably, the movement of the pair of blades 21 a, 21 b towards/away from each other is made possible by means of an elastic return element 60 as illustrated in Figure 3 attached hereto, such as an elastic spring for example, which is associated with the activating element and with the additional activating element 30a so as to maintain an open position of the blades 21 a, 21 b at least in an at-rest state of the nail and cuticle clipper 10. The elastic element 60 is preferably disposed between the activating element 30 and the additional activating element 30a in an area comprised between the fulcrum 34 and the first end 31 , 31 a of the above-mentioned activating elements 30, 30a.

The cutting means 20 is reversibly associated with the activating element 30 and with the additional activating element 30a at the respective second ends 32, 32a by means of respective flanged portions 37, 37a. In particular, the cutting means 20 comprises a pair of cutting inserts 28a, 28b that are operatively associated with flanged portions 37, 37a of the activating element 30 and the additional activating element 30a, respectively. In Figures 3A-3C attached hereto, variants of the cutting inserts 28a, 28b of the nail and cuticle clipper 10 are shown by way of non-limiting example with various shapes of the blades 21 a, 21 b.

Preferably, the flanged portions 37, 37a are disposed in proximity to the hinge 34 between the activating elements 30, 30a and they are shaped so as to receive respective cutting inserts 28a, 28b in such a manner that each cutting insert 28a, 28b exhibits respective blades 21 a, 21 b that face each other. The cutting inserts 28a, 28b are made preferably of a metal material and are such as to be easily placed in a sterilization system in use in beauty centres, hair salons or similar locations, occupying little space in the sterilizer, compared to a complete nail and cuticle clipper. Alternatively, the cutting inserts 28a, 28b are made of an economical material that is easily salvaged so as to make them of a "disposable" type, thereby avoiding the step of sterilizing them after use.

It should be understood that in terms of technical features, and of dimensions and shapes, relating to the connection of the cutting means 20 with the activating elements 30, in this embodiment the activating element 30 and the additional activating element 30a are symmetric and thus invertible in their positions with respect to the longitudinal direction "X" of the nail and cuticle clipper 10.

The nail and cuticle clipper 10 comprises attachment means 70 configured to reversibly associate the pair of cutting inserts 28a, 28b with the respective flanged portions 37, 37a of the activating element 30 and the additional activating element 30a, respectively.

The attachment means 70 comprises means selected from among means of a magnetic type, mechanical bayonet-coupling means, mechanical snap-fit means or mechanical threaded means. The attachment means 70 must principally permit rapid, easy and safe changing of the cutting inserts 28a, 28b during use of the nail and cuticle clipper l O.The attachment means 70 enables quick and rapid insertion/removal of the cutting inserts 28a, 28b, enabling the user to have one hand free to perform this procedure, while retaining the activating element 30 and the additional activating element 30a in the other hand.

Advantageously, in this embodiment of the nail and cuticle clipper 10 for cosmetic use, the selection means 40 is defined by the attachment means 70.

In fact, the selection means 40 associated with the activating element 30 and the additional activating element 30a makes it possible to switch the cutting means 20 between a plurality of operative cutting states. In particular, specific shapes and dimensions of the cutting inserts 28a, 28b, as illustrated in Figures 3A-3C, correspond to respective pre-established operative states.

The present invention achieves the intended aims.

The present invention makes available a nail and cuticle clipper for cosmetic use that is easy to use and offers marked flexibility in use, making it possible to manage precisely the force to be exerted when cutting/sectioning a nail, cuticle or skin inserted between the blades.

Advantageously, the parts, especially the cutting inserts, of the nail and cuticle clipper of the present invention are easily disassembled from the rest of the nail and cuticle clipper, thereby making it possible to change the cutting inserts easily for sterilization and for putting them in the sharps collection container once they have been used, in the event that they are of a "disposable" type.

Advantageously, the nail and cuticle clipper for cosmetic use of the present invention makes it possible to markedly reduce management costs given that, based on the specific work to be carried out, it suffices to insert the specific cutting inserts on the flanged portions of the nail and cuticle clipper without the user needing an entire set of specific nail and cuticle clippers for the various cutting procedures. In conclusion, the nail and cuticle clipper of the present invention is flexible in terms of use and competitive on the market.