WO2017152017A1

WO2017152017A1 - Apparatus for removing callus

Info

Publication number: WO2017152017A1
Application number: PCT/US2017/020600
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yongkui Sun
Original assignee: Yongkui Sun
Priority date: 2016-03-03
Filing date: 2017-03-03
Publication date: 2017-09-08

Abstract

The present invention provides a flexible apparatus for removing callus from human skin. The apparatus includes a piece of abrasive sand paper with 40 - 600 grits, and two hand grips or adhesive on the opposite side/surface of the sand paper.

Description

APPARATUS FOR REMOVING CALLUS

Cross-Reference to Related Application

[01] This application claims priority to US application No. 62/303,083, filed on March 3, 2016, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Background of the Invention

[02] Foot callus is a common problem among men and women, and generally gets worse with age. It is unsightly and uncomfortable, but also can cause significant health problems. For instance, it can lead to cracks that result in bleeding, infection, and it can cause pain that affects walking and state of mind.

[03] Due to the thickness and hardness of the callus, application of moisturizing cream (including even medicated cream) is generally ineffective. There are many products in the market place to help one to remove foot callus. Examples of these products include pumice stone, foot callus files, manual or battery-powered rotators with rough surface, and chemical patch. However, these products all have their own shortcomings or even problems. Examples of such shortcomings include ineffectiveness in removing callus; non-uniform action (e.g., due to difficulty in operation, hard inflexible filing surface); pain or burn; and in some cases they simply do not work.

[04] As such, there is a need for new apparatus or methods for removing foot callus, a prevalent health issue in men and women.

Brief Summary of the Invetnion

[05] One aspect of the invention provides a flexible apparatus for removing callus from human skin which comprises a piece of abrasive sand paper and two hand grips, wherein the sand paper has 40 - 600 grits and a dimension of 0.5 - 2 feet long and 0.3 - 3 inches wide, the two hand grips are each on one side of the sand paper and opposite to each other. The backside of the abrasive sand paper can be reinforced by a suitable strength material such as fabric, leather, or paper of the same size, bonded to the backside of the abrasive sand paper by glue. The backside can have artistic design or use instructions printed on it.

[06] In some embodiments of this invention, the sand paper has 100-300 grits (e.g., about 100 grits, about 150 grits, about 200 grits, about 250 grits, or about 300 grits). In some other embodiments, the sand paper has about 150 grits.

[07] In still some other embodiments of this invention, the callus to be removed from the human skin is on foot skin. [08] In another aspect, the invetion also provides another flexible apparatus for removing callus from human skin. This type of flexible appartus includes a piece of sand paper having two sides, wherein one side of the sand paper or cloth has sand grits and is abrasive and the other side of the paper or cloth has an adhesive, wherein the sand paper has 40 - 600 grits.

[09] In some embodiments, the sand paper has 100-300 grits (e.g., about 100 grits, about 150 grits, abour 200 grits, about 250 grits, or about 300 grits). In some other embodiments, the sand paper has about 150 grits.

[010] In still some other embodiments, the callus to be removed from the human skin is on foot skin.

[011] In still some other embodiments, the sand paper in the flexible apparatus has a shape of square, rectangle, circular, or oval, and has a dimension of 0.25 - 4 inches in length, width, or diameter.

[012] In yet still some other embodiments, the adhesive on the non-abrasive backside of the flexible apparatus of this invention enables the apparatus to stick to human skin, or cloth, non- woven fibrous fabric, or leather. Accordingly, the apparatus can be glued by the operation of the adhesive, to the finger print regions of one or more fingers such as the thumb, or the middle three fingers, to the palm, and/or to the palm of a glove for hand. Alternatively, the apparatus can also be glued, by the operation of the adhesive, to one or more thumbs, and/or palm of a hand.

[013] The invention further provides a method for removing callus from a human foot, comprising applying a flexible apparatus of this invention against the callus to be moved from a human foot. In this method, the flexible apparatus of this invention contacts the callus upon the sand paper and causes abrasive filing against the callus, thereby mechanically reducing the callus' thickness or eliminating the callus.

[014] The method of this invention can further include the step of applying a moisturizing lotion to the skin area after the callus is removed with the flexible apparatus of this invention.

[015] As used herein, the term "sand paper" or "sandpaper" refers to paper or cloth (woven or non-woven) that has abrasive material (e.g., sand particles, aluminum oxide, or silicon carbide) glued to one face or side of the paper, and the term "paper" includes not only the paper, but also other forms of materials to which sand particles can be evenly secured and glued. The grit size of sand paper as used herein refers to a number that is inversely related to the size of particles glued to the paper. A small number such as 50 or 100 indicates a course grit, while a large number such as 1500 indicates a fine grit. [016] As used herein, the term "callus" refers to a thickened and hardened part of the skin or soft tissue, especially in an area (e.g., foot or hand) that has been subjected to friction, pressure, or other irrigation.

[017] As used herein, the term "adhesive" in the apparatus of this invention refers to a material that, when applied to one surface or two surfaces, binds two surfaces together and resists their separation. It is interchangeable with the terms "glue", "cement", or "paste". Adhesives that are suitable for the apparatus of this invention can be synthetic or natural, and should be non-toxic. Non-limiting examples of suitable adhesives include epoxy resins, ethylene-vinyl acetate, polyamide, polyester resins, and polyurethane, silicones, and rubber cement.

[018] As used herein, the term "hand grip" refers to a handle that can be held onto by a human hand. It can be a stick or a semicircular handle.

[019] By being flexible, an apparatus of this invention will not break when it is bent or otherwise deformed from its normal configuration. This property is coherent with the material of paper or cloth.

Brief Descriptions of the Figures

[020] Fig. 1 show an example of the flexible apparatus of this invention in the form of a belt with two hand grips.

[021] Fig. 2 shows the use of the example shown in Fig. 1.

[022] Fig. 3 shows another example of the flexible apparatus of this invention with adhesive and sand paper on two sides, glued to certain parts of a hand.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[023] A flexible apparatus of this invention for removing callus from human skin includes a piece of abrasive sand paper having 40 - 600 grits and two hand grips. The sand paper has a dimension of 0.5 - 2 feet long and 0.5 - 3 inches wide (thereby taking the form of a belt), the two hand grips are each on one side of the sand paper and opposite each other. Fig. 1 shows an example flexible apparatus as described herein. In Fig. 1, the apparatus includes a belt of sand paper with two opposite ends, and two hand grips - one on each of the two opposite ends of the sand paper.

[024] The abrasive sand paper belt, when used properly as shown in Fig. 2, hugs the foot contour, applying filing gently, in a controllable way, on the side edges and the heal where callus is usually the thickest due to stronger friction with inside of the shoe. The filing rate and force can be controlled easily by the force and rate with which both hands pull the abrasive belt in a seesaw fashion. Preferably, the foot is dry and at least substantially free of observable water or other liquid before the apparatus is used to remove the callus and to achieve best results.

[025] The grits of the abrasive sand paper help control the callus removal rate. Sand paper of a smaller grit number is good for removal of thick callus, whereas sand paper of a greater grit number can be used at the end of the operation for "skin finish" control (for a smoother skin).

[026] The flexible apparatus of this invention can be readily prepared by one skilled in the art in view of the figures and the description provided herein. For example, one can just cut a belt of sand paper and secure two hand grips onto the two opposite ends of the sand paper belt, therefore making a simple apparatus of this invention.

[027] Fig. 3 shows an example of the abrasive apparatus with adhesive of this invention in patch form on a right hand, with 1 referring to the palm of the hand, and 2 referring to the abrasive apparatus adhered or glued to certain strategic parts of the hand (which are selected based on the ease of the contact between the hand and the callus area). When the apparatus (in other words, patches with adhesive on the backside) is properly sized and shaped, it can be placed at the strategical positions on one's hand (left or/and left) as shown in Fig. 3. The patches are shaped to hug the contour of the positions of one hands also as shown in Fig. 3. The patch (flexible apparatus with adhesive) is particularly effective for controlled filing of callus or rough skins on parts of the foot that are not easily reached by the flexible apparatus of the belt form, such as those on the arch at the bottom of one's foot, at the tips and back of one's toes. The adhesive is of such a strength that the patch is fixed on the clean bare skin without shifting during the callus removal action, and yet can be removed comfortable from the bare skin afterwards by peeling it off the skin. The patch has a non-sticking paper protecting it before use for storage and after use for possible re-use.

[028] The flexible apparatus with adhesive (or patches) can be glued to certain parts of a glove, as to a hand, that can tightly and comfortably fit a hand. This glove can then be worn to a hand for easy manipulation to remove callus on foot where it is generally hard to reach effectively by the abrasive belt.

[029] As another example, the abrasive flexible apparatus can be integrated to a glove that tightly and comfortably fits one's hands, with abrasives pre-glued on the strategic parts of hands, i.e., the shaded area of the right hand shown on Fig. 3.

[030] After callus removal following the filing treatment, one can apply foot lotion to foot skin regularly to nurture the foot skin for smoothness and softness.

[031] The flex callus removal system can be used as often as needed. Caution should be applied to avoid over filing. [032] By the investor's personal experience, the apparatus of this invention provided unexpectedly good results than those currently in the market place for removing callus from foot, yielding a soft and smooth skin where used to be thick and rough. Particularly, callus would hardly form again for a time period as long as regular or medicated lotions are applied shortly after the callus is removed with the apparatus of this invention. The apparatus can be used again and regularly for

maintenance of the smooth skin.

Claims

What Is Claimed Is:

1. A flexible apparatus for removing callus from huamn skin, comprising a piece of abrasive sand paper and two hand grips, wherein the sand paper has 40 - 600 grits and a dimension of 0.5 - 2 feet long and 0.5 - 3 inches wide, the two hand grips are each on one side of the sand paper and opposite each other.

2. The flexible apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sand paper has 100-300 grits.

3. The flexible apparatus of claim 2, wherein the sand paper has about 150 grits.

4. The flexible apparatus of claim 1, wherein the callus to be removd is on foot skin.

5. A flexible apparatus for removing callus from human skin, comprising a piece of paper having two sides, wherein one side of the paper or cloth has sand grits and is abrasive and the other side of the paper or cloth has an adhesive, wherein the sand paper has 40 - 600 grits

6. The flexbile apparatus of claim 5, wherein the sand paper has 100-300 grits.

7. The flexible apparatus of claim 5, wherein the sand paper has about 150 grits.

8. The flexible apparatus of claim 5, wherein the callus to be removd is on foot skin.

9. The flexbile apparatus of claim 5, wherein the sand paper has a shape of square, rectangle, circular, or oval, and has a dimension of 0.25 - 4 inches in length, width, or diameter.

10. The flexible apparatus of claim 5, wherein the adhesive enables the apparatus to stick to human skin, or cloth, non-woven fibrous fabric, or leather.

11. The flexible apparatus of claim 10, wherein the appaartus is glued by the operation of the

adhsive, to one or more thumbs, and/or palm of a glove for hand.

12. The flexible apparatus of claim 10, wherein the apparatus is glued, by the oepration of the adhesive, to one or more thumbs, and/or palm of a hand.

13. A method for removing callus from a human foot, comprising applying a flexible apparatus of any of claims 1-12 agaist the callus to be moved from a human foot, wherein the flexbile appaaratus contacts callaus upon the sand paper and causes abrasive filing against the callus, thereby mechanically reducing the callus' thickness or elimianting the callus.

14. The methd of claim 13, further comprising administering a moisturizing lotion to the ares where the callus is removed.