A staple removal tool includes a working end with an enlarged area and forked portion. The forked portion includes two prongs separated by a substantially V-shaped slot, wherein the V-shaped slot includes a rounded junction. The working end tapers in thickness along two non-parallel planar surfaces that may include grooves set transversely to the longitudinal axis of the tool. A second embodiment of the staple removal tool includes a working end with both outwardly and inwardly curved exterior surfaces. The outwardly curved exterior surface leads to a prong. A blunted tine is separated from the prong by a substantially U-shaped slot that includes a rounded junction. The working end tapers along two non-parallel planar surfaces that may include grooves set transversely to the longitudinal axis of the tool. Methods of using the tools are also provided.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/538,659 filed on Jan. 23, 2004, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
A manicuring implement includes a shaft and an operative head arranged at an end of the shaft and having first and second fixed jaws defining an indentation therebetween. The first jaw has a straight inner surface forming one side of the indentation and an outer surface having a straight portion on an opposite side. The second jaw has a curved inner surface forming the other side of the indentation and an outer surface having a curved portion on an opposite side. By forming the straight and curved portions on the outer surfaces of the jaws, a manicurist can readily determine the orientation of the implement and use the implement to cause either the straight or curved jaw to be inserted between the nail and the underlying skin to clean the underside of the nail. The indentation serves to limit the penetration of the jaws below the nail into the underlying skin and nail bed.
