US897810A - Process for manufacturing instruments for separating the cuticle from the nails. - Google Patents

Description

N0. 897, 8lO,- PATEN-TED SEPT. 1, 1908.

R. AMORY.

PROCESS FOR MANUFACTURING IN$TRUMENTS FOR SEPARATING THE OUTIGLE FROM THE NAILS. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 12, 1908.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE;

ROBERT AMORY, OFBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

PROCESS FOR MANUFACTURING INSTRUMENTS FOR SEPARATING- THE CUTICLE FROM THE NAILS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 1, 1908.

Original application filed January 18, 1908, Serial No. 411,399. Divided and. this application filed March 12, 1908.

Serial No.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT AMORY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements in Processes for Manufacturing Instruments for Separating the Cuticle from the Nails, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved process for producing instruments for separating the cuticle from the nails, the instrument itself being made the subject matter of an application for Letters Patent, Serial Number 411,399, filed by applicant January 18, 1908. The use of such an instrument for separating the cuticle and flesh from a growing nail, when the instrument is made of metal is likely to cause onychia, whitlow, and ingrowing toe-nails, especially when the cuticle or flesh from the soft tissues is attached to the nail and, when this elongates with the growing nail, is pulled away from the surrounding flesh making a fissure, thus exposing the wound to absorbing pus or other deleterious liquid by contact with unclean instruments, materials or articles.

The object of this invention is to obviate this risk to the user and to this end an instrument of wood or other vegetable matter is charred or carbonized at one end thereof to sterilize the wood and is then moistened in water, preferably antiseptic, which will soften the charred substance and prevent the cutting of the cuticle or flesh at the side of the nail or under the separated nails at the ends of fingers, thumbs or toe-nails.

It is more desirable, convenient and easier of manipulation to use a conical smooth point when separating the cuticle or flesh from the nail, but the conical point is not absolutely essential to the invention hereinafter described. Itis, however, very essential that the end of the instrument shall be cleaned or sterilized. Charring or carbonizing of the wood may be done by igniting the same and afterwards moistening the carbonized portion of said wood whereby an instrument with a sterilized end is obtained. The process hereinafter set forth in the claims consists in charring the end of the piece of wood of the instrument for separating the cuticle from the nails and then moistening the carbonized portion of said wood, whereby an instrument with a sterilized end is obtained. The frocess further consists in igniting the en of the piece of wood forming a portion of the instrument, allowing the same to become partly incinerated, then moistening the carbonized portion of said wood and removing a portion of the same, whereby an instrument with a sterilized end having a rounded point is obtained.

The figure of the drawing illustrates a side elevation of a desirable form of my improved instrument for separating the cuticle from the nails.

In the drawings, 1 is a handle of any convenient form having a flange 2 thereon which separates the handle from the stem 3, said stem being recessed to receive the shank 4 of an end piece 5. The end piece 5 is preferably conical in shape and formed of wood or other vegetable material. Said. end piece 5 may be made in one piece with the stem 3 and handle 1, but preferably is made detachable, as shown in the drawing, so that the same handle can be used with a large number of different end pieces, which end pieces may be made of various shapes and sizes to suit the convenience or desire of the user.

The end piece 5 is sterilized before using in the following manner: It is first ignited and allowed to burn until a certain amount of the end piece has become charred and is then plunged into a glass of antiseptic water, whereby the further charring of the wood ceases and the carbonized portion of said wood is moistened. I of the wood is then rubbed with a cloth to remove the superfluous carbonized material, leaving the end of the wood charred smooth and of a conical form and in condition to be used for the purpose hereinbefore set forth without any danger of cutting or injuring the flesh and without any danger of transferring noxious or suppurating matter from the iii-- strument to the flesh of the person using it.

While it is preferable to char the instru ment in the manner hereinbefore set forth, I do not confine myself to the charring of the same by ignition, as it is evident that the wood may be charred by other means.

Having thus described my invention what I claim and desire by Letters Patent to secure is:

1. The process of manufacturing an instrument for separating the cuticle from the nails Said carbonized portion which consists in igniting the end of a piece of wood and allowing the same to become partly incinerated, then inoistening the carbonized portion of said wood and removing a portion of the same, whereby an instrument with a sterilized conical end having a rounded point is obtained.

2. The process of manufacturing an instrument for separating the cuticle from the nails which consists in igniting the end of a piece of wood and allowing the'same to become partially incinerated, then moistening the carbonized portion of said wood and remov'- ing by friction all the free carbon that can be removed in such manner, whereby an instrument is obtained having a clean and sterilized point.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ROBERT AMORY.

Witnesses:

CHARLES S. GooDING, Louis A. JoNEs.

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