US Patent 7284555 Manicuring implement and instruments including same

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.