WO2011013089A1

WO2011013089A1 - A cover for a tattoo machine

Info

Publication number: WO2011013089A1
Application number: PCT/IB2010/053454
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrea Tartari
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-07-30
Filing date: 2010-07-29
Publication date: 2011-02-03
Anticipated expiration: 2012-01-30
Also published as: ITBO20090505A1

Abstract

Cover for a machine (3) for making tattoos by means of a tattoo needle (4) exhibiting a hook (41) and being insertable in a grippable tubular element (5). The machine (3) comprises: a frame (31) provided with means for removably fastening (32) said tubular element (5) to the frame (31) itself; and a needle-holder member (33), arranged above said means for removably fastening (32), and engageable with the hook (41) of the needle (4) in order to transmit a longitudinal oscillating motion thereto. The cover (1) comprises at least a sheet (2) of material impermeable at least to biological materials, which is dimensioned and shaped such that it substantially completely covers the machine (3) and such that it is interposed between at least a predetermined portion (34) of the machine (3) comprised between the means for removably fastening (32) and the needle-holder member (33) on a side thereof, and the needle (4) and the tubular element (5) on the other side thereof.

Description

A COVER FOR A TATTOO MACHINE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to the technical sector of tattooing, with particular reference to aesthetic tattoos realised by means of special devices known commonly as tattoo machines.

DESCRIPTION OF THE BACKGROUND ART

Tattoos are realised by inserting appropriate pigments into the skin, i.e. the cutaneous layer located below the epidermis, by means ; of the use of needles specially suited to the aim.

Especially in aesthetic tattoos, for reasons of practicality and velocity, and in order to limit the discomfort or pain to the subject undergoing the tattooing operation, the insertion of the pigments into the skin is done by using a tattoo machine.

Obviously a tattoo needle can be mounted on the machine in ways that will be described.

In detail, by means of an electromechanical device mounted therein (of known type as indeed is the machine itself), the machine impresses a substantially regular longitudinal oscillating motion on the needle, having a predetermined run and frequency.

In particular, machines are known for tattooing which are electromagnetic with coils or with a rotary motor, and more besides.

The configuration of the tattoo machine described herein below is the most widely available on the market. For realising a tattoo, the point of the needle is immersed in a solution containing the pigments and is then made to penetrate repeatedly into the skin by means of the above-mentioned oscillating motion impressed on the needle by the machine. The commonly-available needles on the market are specially realised to be singly inserted in a tubular element which surrounds and covers a portion thereof close to the point.

In particular, the tube is of such a length as to cover only a portion of the longitudinal development of the needle. The tubular element is known as a tube and is typically made of a plastic or metal material, and exhibits in particular a grippable section.

Once the needle and the machine have been associated in the correct way, which will be more fully described herein below, the tattoo artists uses his or her fingers to grip the above-mentioned grippable section of the tube (commonly known by the term "grip"), thus manoeuvring the machine-tube- needle together in the suitable way for realising tattoos.

Further, frequently the tube has a shape, in proximity of the point of the needle, which makes it suitable for functioning as a tank for releasably retaining pigments for tattoos. In practice, as is very well known to an expert in the sector, the functioning principle of the needle-tube assembly is similar to that of a nib in a fountain pen.

Very frequently the needle and respective tube are sold together, with the needle already inserted in the tube, for example in a single-use package. At the opposite end to the point the needle exhibits a hook or eye.

With the aim of using the needles in association with the machines, the machines exhibit characteristics as described herein below.

Firstly, the machines are provided with a frame for supporting and containing the above-mentioned electromechanical device, the frame comprising a projecting tube-blocking element for fastening the tube to the frame.

The hook of the needle is secured to a needle-holder member, arranged superiorly to the tube-blocking element, also projecting with respect to the machine frame and coupled to a special kinematism, for example of the con rod-crank type or the like, which is a part of the above-described electromechanical device, such that it is possible to impress oscillating motion on the needle.

More precisely, the needle-holder member is subject to oscillating motion impressed thereon by the electromechanical device and draws the needle hooked thereto in the same motion. The potential health risks connected with tattooing are known, and are not eliminated even when the tattoo artist operates extremely scrupulously in prevention preparations and in general in terms of hygiene.

It is widely known that good practice and legislation in the sector have led professional tattoo artists to use, for example, sterile single-use gloves, non-toxic pigments, disinfectants for the client's skin and for their own hands, and also throwaway needle-tubes.

Notwithstanding this, up to now no adequate solutions have been proposed for the hygienic safety of the tattoo machine.

A daily experience of professional tattoo artists is that during the realising of a tattoo using a machine, there is often an extra-cutaneous outflow of biological material, typically blood or its components, from the subject undergoing tattooing. - A -

This biological material can enter into contact with the machine or the surfaces of work planes on which the machine is rested, or on the gloves the artist is wearing when gripping the machine.

As a same machine is used for numerous tattooing operations, there is the risk that the biological material belonging to a first subject/client coming into contact with the machine might be transferred onto the skin of a second subject/client undergoing tattooing and thus exhibiting incisions or small wounds, while the same machine is being used.

The health and hygiene consequences of a like situation are easily imaginable.

There is also a specific hygienic risk which obtains during the tattooing process, and which is connected to the specific configuration of the tattoo machines.

The above-described biological material, which is in contact with the needle when its point penetrates into the skin, can be subject to a determined force from the needle when the needle exits the skin and distances therefrom during a first stage, or semi-period, of the above- mentioned oscillating motion.

The force is conserved in the form of inertia when the needle, in a second stage or semi-period of the oscillating motion, returns to insert in the skin, or in any case moves towards it.

If this eventuality occurs, it is not rare that the biological material, which in consequence of the rapid mechanical stresses undergone, often takes on the characteristics of an aerosol and is projected onto the surface of the machine itself due to the force impressed thereon.

In still more detail, the experience has proved that the biological material rises up internally in the tube, crosses the cavity and deposits on the machine in a zone thereof comprised between the tube-blocking element and the needle-holder member.

The inside of the tube is obviously in communication with the outside environment, as it has a tubular conformation, and its length is determined especially by the dimensions of the grip, and there is no need for it to extend in length beyond the tube-blocking element, if not for a short time.

While the needles and tubes, when not of the single-use type, can be sterilised in an autoclave, the same is not true of the tattoo machines, as this might cause great damage to the above-described electromechanical device.

On the other hand, a manual cleaning and disinfecting operation is, as will be readily understood, not effective enough, especially in those parts of the machine which exhibit small recesses, narrow slits or undercut cavities, etc. Thus there is a strongly-felt need among tattoo artists and their clients, and there has been for a considerable time, for a solution to the problem of the risk of transfer of biological material between distinct subjects on whom the tattoo machine is used.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The aim of the present invention is to provide the above-cited solution and to obviate the mentioned drawbacks.

This aim is attained by a cover, as recited in claim 1 , for a tattoo machine which realises tattoos by means of a tattoo needle, the needle exhibiting a hook and being insertable in a tubular element which can be gripped, the machine comprising: a frame provided with means for removably fastening the tubular element to the frame; and a needle-holder member arranged superiorly of the means for removably fastening and being engageable to the hook of the needle in order to transmit thereto a longitudinal oscillating motion; the cover being characterised in that it comprises at least a sheet of material that is impermeable at least to biological materials and having such dimensions and conformation as to substantially completely cover the machine and to be interposed between at least a predetermined portion of the machine comprised between the means for removably fastening and the needle-holder member, on one side, and the needle of the tubular element on the other side.

Note that the term "biological materials" is intended to refer, by way of non- limiting example, to body fluids or cutaneous secretions, and still more in detail to blood and its components.

The sheet of the cover of the present invention is impermeable to blood, even in the form of aerosol.

As the cover of the invention comprises a sheet of impermeable material which can substantially completely cover the tattoo machine, it is obvious that by coupling the cover to the machine the eventuality that the above- described biological matter can enter into contact with the machine, for example when rested on a plane, in between operations of different users, possibly different persons, is prevented.

Thus, if the machine does not enter into contact with the biological material, it is not possible for it to act as a vehicle for transfer of the material among various subjects undergoing tattooing with the same machine; this naturally is in combination with due care and attention in removing and/or disinfecting the cover after each tattooing session, as well as replacing the needle and tube.

In particular, the cover can be made of an inexpensive material, and can be disposed of after each tattooing session and replaced with a fresh one for the next session, or it can be made of a consistent and tough material such as to be sterilisable after each session, for example in an autoclave or with other known methods.

In both cases, the cover can be made of a plastic material.

The present invention is able to completely obviate the above-specified risk due to the projection of biological material through the internal cavity of the tubular element during tattooing operations.

The cover sheet advantageously has a conformation and dimensions such as to be interposable between at least a predefined portion of the machine, comprised between the fastening means and the needle-holder member (which is located superiorly of the fastening means) on one side and the needle and the tubular element on the other side.

Thus the biological material exiting from the skin undergoing the tattooing operation cannot even enter into contact with the machine.

Consequently, by using the present invention the historic problem of hygienic safety in tattoo machines is completely obviated. The above predefined portion of the machine comprised between the means for removably fastening and the needle-holder member is preferably the portion which extends over the whole distance between the means for removably fastening and the needle-holder member, and includes both of the above too. Thus, the sheet is interposed between the needle and the tubular element on the one side and the machine on the other, along the whole above- specified distance, beyond extending laterally to the machine, i.e. about the perimeter of the horizontal sections (and thus it is interposed between the machine and the needle and tube in the perimeter regions too):

In any case, the cover of the invention substantially completely covers the whole machine. In a particular embodiment, the invention provides a needle-operating tattoo machine for realising tattoos by means of a tattoo needle, comprising the cover as recited in claim 1.

The external side of the cover is preferably convex, substantially over the whole extension thereof, or at least it does not exhibit narrow concavities. In this way, it can easily be cleaned by hand, differently to the prior art.

According to particular aspects of the embodiment, the cover can be realised for example by a plurality of sheets, in particular made of rigid material, appropriately associated such as not to obstruct the oscillating motion of the needle and appropriately connected in order to obtain the above-mentioned substantially complete covering of the machine.

The cover can be solidly constrained to the machine by appropriate fastening means of known type to an expert in the sector, for example screws and respective threaded holes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Specific embodiments of the invention and advantageous technical- functional characteristics correlated to these embodiments which are only in part derivable from the above description, will be set out in the following description, in accordance with what is set out in the claims and with the aid of the accompanying figures of the drawings, in which figure 1 is a schematic lateral view in vertical section of the invention coupled to a tattoo machine.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

With reference to the accompanying table, 1 denotes a cover of the invention, destined to be used in a machine 3 for realising tattoos by means of a tattoo needle 4.

The needle 4 exhibits a hook 41 at an opposite end thereof to the point, and is insertable in a grippable tubular element 5.

The tubular element 5 can have sections of various dimensions and is conformed, in proximity of the point of the needle 5, such as to function as a tank for releasably storing pigments for tattooing during the tattooing operation itself.

The machine 3 comprises: a frame 31 provided with means for removably fastening 32 the tubular element 5 to the frame 31 , and a needle-holder member 33 arranged superiorly to the means for removably fastening 32 and engageable with the hook 41 of the needle 4 for transmitting thereto an oscillating longitudinal motion.

The needle-holder member 33 is of any type suitable for engaging with the hook 41 of the needle 4 and for connecting with the known devices for the production of an oscillating motion, typically: a con rod-crank kinematism comprised in an electromechanical device, or a kinematism comprising springs and elements for transmission of motion, or other mechanisms besides. Frequently the needle-holder member 33 has a configuration which is such as to be insertable in the hook 41 in order to engage the hook 41.

Note that figure 1 illustrates, for the sake of clarity of interpretation, a posterior side A and a front side A of the typical orientation of a machine 3.

Normally the machine 3 is handled by the user while the user is situated behind (in direction P) the machine 3.

The cover 1 comprises a sheet 2 made of a material that is impermeable to biological materials, removably couplable to the machine 3 and having dimensions and a conformation such as substantially to completely cover the machine 3 (though in figure 1 it is only partially represented, as will be described in more detail herein below).

As the needle-holder member 33 is frequently projecting with respect to the frame 31 in direction A, the sheet 2, in a preferred embodiment of the invention shown in the figure, is of such dimensions and conformation as to be interposable between the needle-holder member 33 and the hook 41. In this way it is not necessary to make a through-hole in the sheet 2 in a portion thereof located at mechanical members of the machine 3 which are subject to stresses and impulses.

This means that the above-mentioned stresses cannot lead to lacerations in the sheet 2 itself. Further, the sheet 2 has such dimensions and conformation as to be interposed between at least a predefined portion 34 of the machine 3, comprised between the means for removably fastening 32 and the needle- holder member 33 on the one side and the needle 4 and the tubular element 5 on the other. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, shown in figure 1 , the predefined portion 34 is extended over the whole length (including the ends) of the distance between the means for removably fastening 32 and - li the needle-holder member 33.

Further, the sheet 2 covers the machine 3 along the whole above- mentioned length including laterally.

In figure 1 the portion of sheet 2 covering the portion 34 is denoted by number 23.

This advantageous aspect, as mentioned above, means that the present invention completely prevents the biological material projected through the internal cavity of the above tubular element 5 from reaching the machine 3 during the tattooing operation. The cover 1 can be removably couplable to the machine 3; in this way a sterilisable or single-use cover 1 can be realised.

Figure 1 does not illustrate the part of the cover 1 and its sheet 2, which develop in direction P, which part can exhibit an opening through which the machine 3 is inserted into the cover 1. The embodiment of the invention which comprises the opening is an example of a cover 1 which is removably couplable to the above-described machine 3.

The opening can be advantageously re-closable using known closing means, as long as they are suitable for such use. If the sheet is made of soft material, the closing means can be clips.

A further possibility is to have a closure on the edge of the opening, which can be closed by drawing the ends of a string inserted in a hem.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the sheet 2 can be made of a soft and flexible material such that when the machine 3 is inserted therein it creates an adherence thereto such as to limit the overall size significantly, bringing obvious advantages in terms of manoeuvrability.

In order to describe further advantages of the present invention, it is necessary first to specify some typical aspects of the tattoo machine 3 which are more commonly used, which is included in the following. Normally, the means for removably fastening 32 comprise two parallel projecting jaws 321 (illustrated only schematically in figure 1) conformed such as to define between them a seating for a section 51 of the grippable tubular element 5.

The reciprocal distance of the jaws 321 is adjustable such that by nearing them the size of the seating is reduced, so that it is possible to clinch the section 51 of the tubular element 5 between the jaws, solidly fastening the tubular element 5 to the frame 31.

Note that although in figure 1 the tubular element 5 has been illustrated as having two sections of different lateral and longitudinal dimensions, a section 51 and a grip 52, these could also be of the same dimensions.

When the means for removably fastening 32 are of the above-described two-jaw type 321 , or have a similar conformation, the following conformational and functional constraints are set which the cover 1 must respect contemporaneously: keeping the means for removably fastening 32 covered by the sheet 2; enabling insertion of the tubular element 5 and the needle 4 in the above- mentioned seating, and not obstructing the condition that the sheet 2 can be interposed between the portion 34 of the machine 3 comprised between the releasable fastening means 32 and the needle-holder member 33 on one side and the needle 4 and the tubular element 5 on the other. For this purpose, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the sheet 2 comprises first through-means 21 in which the tubular element 5 is insertable to pass through the sheet 2.

The first through-means 21 are preferably conformed such that the space between the sheet 2 and the tube is substantially null.

The first through-means 21 are positioned such as to be arranged superiorly of the means for removably fastening 32 of the frame 31 of the machine 3.

The first through-means 21 are preferably constituted by a through-hole afforded in the sheet 2.

In the case of a sheet 2 made of a soft material, the first through-means 21 can be constituted by a plurality of intersecting slits, for example two crossed slits or a plurality of slits arranged in an asterisk conformation. They are conformed and arranged such as to form a plurality of segment- like flaps in the sheet 2.

As the sheet 2 is soft in this case, i.e. yielding, the tubular element can insert through the means 21 , displacing the segments on one of the sides of the sheet 2.

Further, the cover 1 comprises first means (not illustrated) for releasably blocking a first portion 25 of the sheet 2, which comprises the first hole 21 , to the upper surface of the means for removably fastening 32.

The first releasable blocking means can, by way of example, be constituted by a layer of glue appropriately positioned on the first portion 25 of the sheet 2 such that it adheres to the upper surface of the means for removably fastening 32, as shown in figure 1.

For example, the first portion 25 can be adherent to the upper surface of the jaws 321. In an alternative embodiment, again in the case of a sheet made of a soft material, the means for releasably blocking are constituted by one or more strips, for example of the same material the sheet 2 is made of, which originate from the first through-means 21 and develop longitudinally in a distancing direction from the first means 21.

The strip can be wound a certain number of times in accordance with its length on the portion of the sheet 2 which covers the means for removably fastening 32, and can be tightened adheringly to the means 32.

In the case of a plurality of strips, these can be blocked in a knot, after having surrounded, with their windings, the portion of the sheet 2 which covers the releasable fastening means 32.

In order for the point of the needle 4 not also to be covered by the sheet 2, which would make it impossible to realise tattoos, the sheet 2 comprises second through-means 22 in which the tubular element 5 is insertable in order to pass through the sheet 2, the second through-means 22 being positioned such as to be arranged inferiorly of the means for removably fastening 32, and the cover 1 comprising second releasable blocking means of a second portion 26 of the sheet 2 comprising the second means 22 to the lower surface of the means for removably fastening 32. The second through-means 22 are preferably realised by means of a through-hole, but it is clear that in this case too the slit system as described above in relation to the first through-means 21 can be used.

All of the above description in relation to the first through-means 21 , including the preferred and alternative embodiments thereof, can be applied entirely similarly to the second through-means.

In detail, the particulars concerning the maintaining of the adherence of the portion of sheet 2 covering the releasable fastening 32 thereto can be applied to the second means 22. This has the advantageous effect of strongly containing the cover 1 at and in proximity to the tubular element 5, which is the element 5 that is held during tattooing operations.

This absolutely guarantees maximum manoeuvrability of the cover- machine-tube-needle assembly during tattooing operations.

Note that all the details and versions of the present invention connected to the presence of the jaws 321 in the means for removably fastening 32 can be applied identically to machines in which the means 32 do not comprise jaws 321 , but projecting elements of a different structure as long as they exhibit a through-hole for the passage of the tube etc.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated in figure 1 , the invention also exhibits the advantageous details as reported herein below.

As detailed herein above, the sheet 2 can be constrained, i.e. blocked, at the needle-holder member 33 and also at the means for removably fastening 32.

With the aim of preventing even the most remote possibility that due to the oscillating motion to which the needle-holder member 33 is subject, the above-mentioned portion 23 of the sheet 2 might be ruptured, the height of the portion 23 will be greater by a predefined quantity than the distance between the needle-holder member 33 and the means for removably fastening 32.

In this way, there will be an excess quantity of sheet 2 for the purposes of covering (which is denoted in figure 1 by a wavy progression of the sheet 2), but sufficient to completely prevent lacerations while at the same not constraining the oscillating motion of the member 33.

As an even more specific embodiment, the sheet 2 can have a bellows- type conformation, at the portion 23 thereof. Alternatively, the sheet 2 can be made of a predefined material having sufficient elasticity and tenacity.

Likewise, but for different aims, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the portion 24 of the sheet 2 covering the means for removably fastening 32 will also have dimensions that are greater than the means 32 themselves.

Especially in the case in which the means for removably fastening 32 comprise the jaws 321 , at or in proximity thereof, means are present for manipulating (not shown in figure 1) for regulating the means for removably fastening 32.

They often have a projecting configuration with respect to the frame 31, and have a substantially predefined dimension.

Thus, in order that they can be covered by the sheet 2, the above-cited portion 24 of the sheet 2 can have larger dimensions than the means for removably fastening 32, for example it can be bellows-shaped, or alternatively the sheet 2 can be made of a material having predefined and sufficient elasticity.

There can also be two or more bellows-shaped portions of the sheet 2, for example one having vertical pleats and another having horizontal pleats, in order to give volume variations in different spatial directions.

The above has been described by way of non-limiting example, and any constructional variations are considered to fall within the ambit of protection of the present technical solution, as claimed herein below.

Claims

1. Cover for a machine (3) for making tattoos by means of a tattoo needle (4) exhibiting a hook (41) and being insertable in a grippable tubular element (5), the machine (3) comprising: a frame (31) provided with means for removably fastening (32) said tubular element (5) to the frame (31 ) itself; and a needle-holder member (33), arranged above said means for removably fastening (32), and engageable with the hook (41) of the needle (4) in order to transmit a longitudinal oscillating motion thereto; the cover (1) being characterized in that it comprises at least a sheet (2) of material impermeable at least to biological materials, which is dimensioned and shaped such that it substantially completely covers the machine (3) and such that it is interposed between at least a predetermined portion (34) of the machine (3) comprised between the means for removably fastening (32) and the needle-holder member (33) on a side thereof, and the needle (4) and the tubular element (5) on the other side thereof.

2. Cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sheet (2) of the cover (1) comprises first through-means (21), in which the tubular element (5) is insertable to pass through the sheet (2), the first through-means (21) being positioned so that they can be arranged above the means for removably fastening (32), and the cover (1) comprising first means for releasably blocking a first portion (25) of the sheet (2), comprising the first means (21), at the upper surface of the means for removably fastening (32).

3. Cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sheet (2) of the cover (1) comprises second through-means (22), in which the tubular element (5) is insertable to pass through the sheet (2), the second through-means (22) being positioned so that they can be arranged below the means for removably fastening (32), and the cover (1) comprising second means for removably holding a second portion (26) of the sheet (2), comprising the second means (22), at the lower surface of the means for removably fastening (32).

4. Machine (3) for making tattoos by means of a tattoo needle (4), the machine comprising a cover (1) as in claim 1.