NAIL CLIPPINGS CATCHER
Nail clippings catchers are described and disclosed. A given nail clippings catcher may comprise a container with a digit-hole and a clipper-hole. The digit-hole is sized to removably receive a portion of a digit and the clipper-hole is sized to removably receive a cutting end of a nail clipper. The clipper-hole outlines a shape that comprises a pair of opposing major tabs, followed by a pair of opposing pockets, followed by a pair of opposing minor tabs, and then followed by another pair of opposing pockets. The pair of opposing minor tabs protrude into a gap between two squeeze ends of the nail clipper when the cutting end is removably inserted into the clipper-hole. The pair of opposing minor tabs act as a barrier to minimize at least some of cut nail clippings from escaping the container.
The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/157,013 filed on May 5, 2015, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates in general to devices, apparatuses and, containers to capture clippings of cut nails and more specifically to nail clippings catchers.
COPYRIGHT AND TRADEMARK NOTICEA portion of the disclosure of this patent application may contain material that is subject to copyright protection. The owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever.
Certain marks referenced herein may be common law or registered trademarks of third parties affiliated or unaffiliated with the applicant or the assignee. Use of these marks is by way of example and should not be construed as descriptive or to limit the scope of this invention to material associated only with such marks.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONUnless some accessory device is used, typically when nails (e.g., fingernails and/or toenails) are clipped (e.g., cut or trimmed) by use of a nail clipper, the nail clippings launch and/or fall in a chaotic and generally unpredictable manner, that may result in unfound nail clippings remaining in an environment, and even after cleanup efforts. Such nail clipping efforts also generate the added and extra step of having to search and clean up the cutting environment. Such nail clipping efforts are also unsanitary, as nail clippings may often harbor undesirable bacteria and fungal organisms. Such nail clipping efforts may also be dangerous, in that some nail clippings may be sharp and may pose a puncture risk to unprotected skin regions that accidently stumble upon loose nail clippings. And due at least in part to the foregoing, many people find loose nail clippings unpleasant and would rather not have to encounter such loose nail clippings.
Because of the foregoing, the art has responded with various efforts at devices and apparatuses for capturing and/or containing cut nail clippings. Some such devices have focused on modifying the nail clippers used, so as to capture some nail clippings within a handle region or the like of the given modified nail clipper. However, a problem with such art is that cut nail clippings do not always necessarily fall or launch towards such a reservoir region in the modified handle, i.e., such art may not capture nail clippings that fall or launch in other directions. Additionally, cleaning, sanitizing, and/or sterilizing such devices may be difficult to impossible, due to materials of construction, excessively complex surface geometry, and/or hard to reach regions.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,956,915 to Anderson teaches an enclosure with two opposing openings. The two opposing openings to the enclosure's interior do not teach any unique structures/geometry that helps to removably mate/seal with the inserted article (e.g., a digit or a nail clipper) being inserted into the given hole, and this provides regions where cut nail clippings may escape the device. Anderson also teaches a region of VELCRO within the enclosure to attach to complimentary VELCRO on the inserted nail clipper. This VELCRO within the enclosure poses two problems. First, this creates a region that is likely to retain cut nail clippings, including nail dust, and thus poses a contamination risk. Second, minimizing movement of the nail clipper within the enclosure is added undesirable complexity to the device and is unnecessary if the overall device enclosure and its openings are sized properly. Additionally, there are no explicit teachings for any structures, geometries, or features that would facilitate cleaning, sanitation, and/or sterilization of the device.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,046,606 to Morelli teaches an enclosure with at least two opposing openings. At least one of such openings in Morelli may comprise a flexible grommet 30 which includes a center opening 31 having slits 33 which extend radially outward from opening 31. Whether this flexible grommet structure is used to seal around an inserted digit or an inserted nail clipper, this flexible grommet is problematic as it provides excessive “nooks and crannies” (i.e., surface geometry in close proximity to other surface geometry that may be close enough to trap nail dust and cut nail clippings) that may be readily contaminated and colonized by bacteria and fungi common to nails. Other embodiments of Morelli teach a pair of slots 320 (or e.g., 70A and 70B in FIG. 13) for openings to receive nail clipper handles. This arrangement is undesirable as it adds unnecessary complexity because now, instead of inserting the nail clipper into one opening, the nail clipper must be inserted into two openings. This also means that such nail clipper insertion must be done from the inside of the enclosure, and thus not only is the nail clipper being inserted into two openings, but also a lid of the enclosure must be opened to receive the nail clipper; and thus such embodiments create additional steps in using the enclosure. Some embodiments of Morelli are also undesirably bulky or cumbersome. Some embodiments of Morelli accept more than one digit into the enclosure at a given time, which may unnecessarily expose too much skin to bacterial and/or fungal contamination. Additionally, there is no explicit teachings for any structures, geometries, or features that would facilitate cleaning, sanitation, and/or sterilization of the enclosure devices.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,459,926 to Perea teaches a sphere with two opposing openings and an elongated rigid rod 56; wherein this elongated rigid rod 56 traps the given nail clipper within a volume of the sphere. Addition of this elongated rigid rod 56 is undesirable and its inclusion is unnecessary and simply adds complexity to the overall device. Additionally, inclusion of this rod also makes cleaning, sanitizing, and/or sterilizing interior surfaces of the sphere more difficult and challenging. Additionally, the two opposing openings to the sphere's interior do not teach any unique structures/geometry that help to removably mate with the inserted article (e.g., a digit or a nail clipper) being inserted into the given hole and this provides regions where cut nail clippings may escape the device.
U.S. published patent application, publication number 2008/0178896, to Rivero teaches essentially a highly flexible and pliable plastic bag with two opposing holes. This device suffers from several problems. First, the device is designed to accept the entire hand into the bag, which then exposes the entire hand to contamination. Second, the device is too flexible, i.e., excessively flexible with no supporting structure, and this makes using the device more difficult than it should be as extra steps are needed to arrive at correct positioning to cut nails and to see what one is doing.
U.S. published patent application, publication number 2011/0061668, to Saenin teaches some device embodiments (see e.g.,
Additionally, there appears to be a commercially available nail clippings receiving container known as the “CUTHUT,” presently available from http://www.cuthut4nails.com/contact.html, last visited on Apr. 27, 2016. This product also suffers from a number of problems. First, the product only has one top located window, located in an otherwise top opaque surface and all other major surrounding surfaces of the container are also opaque, which results in a working space of inside the container being relatively dark, which has resulted in the product including a LED light source, which adds complexity, weight, and cost to the overall product. Such presence of electronics complicates cleaning, sanitizing, and/or sterilizing options. Additionally, end caps of the container, which house the digit opening and a nail clipper opening may be removed, and upon removal, this reveals complicated geometry, such as tabs with holes and a rail system to accept the top surface, wherein the tabs with holes and the rails provided complicated geometry for allowing nail clippings and nail dust to get stuck and/or accumulate and thus provide additional surfaces areas, that are difficult to clean, for buildup of undesirable microbial contamination. Further, the nail clipper opening comprises a series or plurality of closely spaced membranes, that appear to be about parallel with each other, wherein this arrangement provides increased surface area to accumulate nail dust and undesirable microbial contaminants. Additionally, because of the closeness of such closely spaced membranes, cleaning, sanitizing, and/or sterilizing this region is unnecessarily difficult.
None of the above noted prior art teaches a nail clippings catcher device that comprises a clipper hole with a unique geometry that is both easy to use and still mitigates against escape of cut nail clippings from the given nail clippings catcher device. Additionally, none of the above noted prior art were designed specifically to ease cleaning, sanitation, and/or sterilization of the given nail clippings catcher device.
There is a need in the art for nail clippings catchers with unique clipper hole geometry that are both easy to use and still mitigate against cut nail clippings from escaping the given nail clippings catcher that are further designed to facilitate cleaning, sanitation, and/or sterilization.
It is to these ends that the present invention has been developed.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONTo minimize the limitations in the prior art, and to minimize other limitations that will be apparent upon reading and understanding the present specification, the present invention describes various nail clippings catchers. For example, and without limiting the scope of the present invention, a given nail clippings catcher may comprise a container with two substantially opposing holes, a digit-hole and a clipper-hole. The digit-hole may be sized to removably receive a distal portion of a digit (e.g., either a finger with fingernail or a toe with toenail) and the clipper-hole may be sized to removably receive a cutting end of a nail clipper. The clipper-hole may be formed in a clipper-disk. The clipper-disk may be an annular disk. The clipper-disk may be part of the container. The clipper-hole may outline a shape that comprises a pair of opposing major tabs, followed by a pair of opposing pockets, followed by a pair of opposing minor tabs, and then followed by another pair of opposing pockets. The pair of opposing minor tabs may protrude into a gap between two squeeze ends of the nail clipper when the cutting end is removably inserted into the clipper-hole. The pair of opposing minor tabs may act as a barrier to minimize at least some of cut nail clippings from escaping the container.
It is an objective of the present invention to provide a container that may catch and temporarily contain substantially all nail clippings from fingernails and/or toenails while such nail clippings are being generated from use of a nail clipper.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a nail clippings container that may be openable to remove temporarily contained nail clippings.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a nail clippings container that may be openable to provide access for cleaning, sanitizing, and/or sterilizing of interior surfaces of the given nail clippings container.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a nail clippings container that may be sanitary to use.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a nail clippings container that may be easily cleaned, sanitized, and/or sterilized.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a nail clippings container that may be simple to manufacture.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a nail clippings container that may be manufactured in a cost effective manner, without excessive parts and/or without excessive assembly.
It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide a nail clippings container that may comprise one or more regions of substantial transparency to facilitate ease of use.
These and other advantages and features of the present invention are described herein with specificity so as to make the present invention understandable to one of ordinary skill in the art, both with respect to how to practice the present invention and how to make the present invention.
Elements in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale in order to enhance their clarity and improve understanding of these various elements and embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, elements that are known to be common and well understood to those in the industry are not depicted in order to provide a clear view of the various embodiments of the invention.
- 200 nail clippings catcher 200
- 201 container 201
- 203 digit-hole 203
- 205 digit-disk 205
- 207 clipper-hole 207
- 209 clipper-disk 209
- 211 major tab 211
- 213 pocket 213
- 215 minor tab 215
- 221 first-hemisphere 221
- 223 second-hemisphere 223
- 225 common-seam-line 225
- 227 half-digit-disk-cutout 227
- 229 half-clipper-disk-cutout 229
- 231 second-half-digit-disk-cutout 231
- 233 second-half-clipper-disk-cutout 233
- 241 slit 241
- 261 interior surfaces 261
- 300 nail clippings catcher 300
- 301 container 301
- 321 first-hemisphere 321
- 323 second-hemisphere 323
- 325 common-seam-line 325
- 327 digit-disk-cutout 327
- 329 clipper-disk-cutout 329
- 361 interior surfaces 361
- 400 nail clippings catcher 400
- 401 container 401
- 421 first-hemisphere 421
- 423 second-hemisphere 423
- 461 interior surfaces 461
- 500 nail clippings catcher 500
- 501 container 501
- 521 first-hemisphere 521
- 523 second-hemisphere 523
- 561 interior surfaces 561
- 600 nail clippings catcher 600
- 601 container 601
- 621 first-hemisphere 621
- 623 second-hemisphere 623
- 661 interior surfaces 661
- 700 nail clippings catcher 700
- 701 container 701
- 721 first-hemisphere 721
- 723 second-hemisphere 723
- 725 common-seam-line 725
- 751 hinge 751
- 761 interior surfaces 761
- 800 nail clippings catcher 800
- 801 container 801
- 821 first-hemisphere 821
- 823 second-hemisphere 823
- 825 common-seam-line 825
- 851 hinge 851
- 861 interior surfaces 861
- 900 nail clippings catcher 900
- 901 container 901
- 903 digit-hole 903
- 961 interior surfaces 961
- 971 collar 971
- 973 iris-opening 973
- 975 blade 975
- 977 union 977
- 979 first-side 979
- 981 second-side 981
- 983 hemisphere-housing 983
- 9001 nail clipper 9001
- 9003 squeeze end 9003
- 9005 cutting end 9005
- 9007 gap 9007
- 9051 digit 9051
- 9053 distal portion 9053
- 9055 nail 9055
Nail clippings catchers are described and disclosed. A given nail clippings catcher may comprise a container with two substantially opposing holes, a digit-hole and a clipper-hole. The digit-hole may be sized to removably receive a distal portion of a digit (e.g., either a finger with fingernail or a toe with toenail) and the clipper-hole may be sized to removably receive a cutting end of a nail clipper. The clipper-hole may be formed in a clipper-disk. The clipper-disk may be an annular disk. The clipper-disk may be part of the container. The clipper-hole may outline a shape that comprises a pair of opposing major tabs, followed by a pair of opposing pockets, followed by a pair of opposing minor tabs, and then followed by another pair of opposing pockets. The pair of opposing minor tabs may protrude into a gap between two squeeze ends of the nail clipper when the cutting end is removably inserted into the clipper-hole. The pair of opposing minor tabs may act as a barrier to minimize at least some of cut nail clippings from escaping the container.
In the following discussion that addresses a number of embodiments and applications of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part thereof, where depictions are made, by way of illustration, of specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.
In some embodiments, nail clipper 9001 may comprise cutting end 9005 and disposed opposite of cutting end 9005, a pair of lever members, squeeze ends 9003. In some embodiments, squeeze ends 9003 may be separated from each other by gap 9007. Gap 9007 may vary in dimension from a maximum distance when squeeze ends 9003 are not being squeezed together by a user, to a minimum distance when squeeze ends 9003 are squeezed together. Each digit 9051, towards distal portion 9053, may comprise nail 9055. See e.g.,
Note, in some embodiments, nail clippings catcher 200 shown in
A
As shown in
In some embodiments, nail clippings catcher 200 may comprise container 201. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, container 201 may be one or more of: elastomeric, flexible, semi-flexible, semi-rigid, or rigid. In some embodiments, container 201 may be elastomeric, flexible, semi-flexible, semi-rigid, or rigid. In some embodiments, at least a quarter of container 201 may be substantially transparent. In some embodiments, container 201 may be substantially transparent.
In some embodiments, nail clippings catcher 200 may comprise two substantially opposing use holes, a digit-hole 203 and a clipper-hole 207. In some embodiments, these two substantially opposing use holes may be located as part of container 201. In some embodiments, these two substantially opposing use holes may provide access to the volume of the container 201. In some embodiments, digit-hole 203 may be sized to removably receive at least one distal portion 9053 of digit 9051. In some embodiments, clipper-hole 207 may be sized to removably receive cutting end 9005 of nail clipper 9001.
In some embodiments, clipper-hole 207 may be formed in clipper-disk 209. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, container 201 may comprise digit-disk 205. In some embodiments, digit-hole 203 may be formed in digit-disk 205. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, container 201 may comprise two hemispheres joined together, first-hemisphere 221 and second-hemisphere 223. In some embodiments, first-hemisphere 221 and second-hemisphere 223 may be joined together at a common-seam-line 225. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, first-hemisphere 221 may comprise two opposing cutouts, a half-digit-disk-cutout 227 and a half-clipper-disk-cutout 229. See e.g.,
In some embodiments of nail clippings catcher 200, common-seam-line 225 may be substantially perpendicular to: half-digit-disk-cutout 227, half-clipper-disk-cutout 229, second-half-digit-disk-cutout 231, second-half-clipper-disk-cutout 233, to major surfaces of digit-disk 205, and/or to major surfaces of clipper-disk 209. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, digit-disk 205 may be joined to first-hemisphere 221 and to second-hemisphere 223 at half-digit-disk-cutout 227 and at second-half-digit-disk-cutout 231 by one or more of: a friction fit, a snap fit, a threaded fit, an ultrasonic weld, a heat weld, a solvent bond, or a chemical adhesive bond.
In some embodiments, clipper-disk 209 may be joined to first-hemisphere 221 and to second-hemisphere 223 at half-clipper-disk-cutout 229 and at second-half-clipper-disk-cutout 233 by one or more of: a friction fit, a snap fit, a threaded fit, an ultrasonic weld, a heat weld, a solvent bond, or a chemical adhesive bond.
In some embodiments, first-hemisphere 221 may be joined to second-hemisphere 223 along the common-seam-line 225 by one or more of: a friction fit, a snap fit, a threaded fit, an ultrasonic weld, a heat weld, a solvent bond, or a chemical adhesive bond.
In some embodiments, joining of the first-hemisphere (e.g., 221, 321, 421, 521, and/or 621) to the second-hemisphere (e.g., 223, 323, 423, 523, and/or 623) along the common-seam-line (e.g., 225 and/or 325) may be permanent. In some embodiments, joining of the first-hemisphere (e.g., 221, 321, 421, 521, 621, 721, and/or 821) to the second-hemisphere (e.g., 223, 323, 423, 523, 623, 723, and/or 823) along the common-seam-line (e.g., 225, 325, 725, and/or 825) may be substantially removable.
In some embodiments, container 201 may comprise interior surfaces 261. See e.g.,
A
As shown in
In some embodiments, nail clippings catcher 300 may comprise container 301. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, container 301 may be one or more of: elastomeric, flexible, semi-flexible, semi-rigid, or rigid. In some embodiments, container 301 may be elastomeric, flexible, semi-flexible, semi-rigid, or rigid. In some embodiments, at least a quarter of container 301 may be substantially transparent. In some embodiments, container 301 may be substantially transparent.
In some embodiments, nail clippings catcher 300 may comprise two substantially opposing use holes, a digit-hole 203 and a clipper-hole 207. In some embodiments, these two substantially opposing use holes may be located as part of container 301. In some embodiments, these two substantially opposing use holes may provide access to the volume of the container 301. In some embodiments, digit-hole 203 may be sized to removably receive at least one distal portion 9053 of digit 9051. In some embodiments, clipper-hole 207 may be sized to removably receive cutting end 9005 of nail clipper 9001.
In some embodiments, container 301 may comprise two hemispheres joined together, first-hemisphere 321 and second-hemisphere 323. In some embodiments, first-hemisphere 321 and second-hemisphere 323 may be joined together at a common-seam-line 325. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, first-hemisphere 321 may be joined to second-hemisphere 323 along the common-seam-line 325 by one or more of: a friction fit, a snap fit, a threaded fit, an ultrasonic weld, a heat weld, a solvent bond, or a chemical adhesive bond.
In some embodiments, first-hemisphere 321 may comprise a digit-disk-cutout 327. In some embodiments, digit-disk-cutout 327 may be disposed opposite from common-seam-line 325 on first-hemisphere 321. In some embodiments, second-hemisphere 323 may comprise a clipper-disk-cutout 329. In some embodiments, clipper-disk-cutout 329 may be disposed opposite from common-seam-line 325 on second-hemisphere 323. In some embodiments, digit-disk-cutout 327 may capture digit-disk 205. In some embodiments, clipper-disk-cutout 329 may capture clipper-disk 209. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, digit-disk 205 may be joined to first-hemisphere 321 at digit-disk-cutout 327 by one or more of: a friction fit, a snap fit, a threaded fit, an ultrasonic weld, a heat weld, a solvent bond, or a chemical adhesive bond.
In some embodiments, clipper-disk 209 may be joined to second-hemisphere 223 at clipper-disk-cutout 329 by one or more of: a friction fit, a snap fit, a threaded fit, an ultrasonic weld, a heat weld, a solvent bond, or a chemical adhesive bond.
In some embodiments of nail clippings catcher 300, common-seam-line 325 may be substantially parallel to: the major surfaces of digit-disk-cutout 327 and/or to the major surfaces of clipper-disk-cutout 329. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, container 301 may comprise interior surfaces 361. See e.g.,
A
As shown in
In some embodiments, nail clippings catcher 400 may comprise container 401. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, container 401 may be one or more of: elastomeric, flexible, semi-flexible, semi-rigid, or rigid. In some embodiments, container 401 may be elastomeric, flexible, semi-flexible, semi-rigid, or rigid. In some embodiments, at least a quarter of container 301 may be substantially transparent. In some embodiments, container 401 may be substantially transparent.
In some embodiments, nail clippings catcher 400 may comprise two substantially opposing use holes, a digit-hole 203 and a clipper-hole 207. In some embodiments, these two substantially opposing use holes may be located as part of container 401. In some embodiments, these two substantially opposing use holes may provide access to the volume of the container 401. In some embodiments, digit-hole 203 may be sized to removably receive at least one distal portion 9053 of digit 9051. In some embodiments, clipper-hole 207 may be sized to removably receive cutting end 9005 of nail clipper 9001.
In some embodiments, container 401 may comprise two hemispheres joined together, first-hemisphere 421 and second-hemisphere 423. In some embodiments, first-hemisphere 421 and second-hemisphere 423 may be joined together at a common-seam-line 325. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, first-hemisphere 421 may be joined to second-hemisphere 423 along the common-seam-line 325 by one or more of: a friction fit, a snap fit, a threaded fit, an ultrasonic weld, a heat weld, a solvent bond, or a chemical adhesive bond.
In some embodiments of nail clippings catcher 400, common-seam-line 325 may be substantially parallel to: the major surfaces of digit-disk 205 and/or to the major surfaces of clipper-disk 209. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, container 401 may comprise interior surfaces 461. See e.g.,
A
As shown in
In some embodiments, nail clippings catcher 500 may comprise container 501. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, container 501 may be one or more of: elastomeric, flexible, semi-flexible, semi-rigid, or rigid. In some embodiments, container 501 may be elastomeric, flexible, semi-flexible, semi-rigid, or rigid. In some embodiments, at least a quarter of container 501 may be substantially transparent. In some embodiments, container 501 may be substantially transparent.
In some embodiments, nail clippings catcher 500 may comprise two substantially opposing use holes, a digit-hole 203 and a clipper-hole 207. In some embodiments, these two substantially opposing use holes may be located as part of container 501. In some embodiments, these two substantially opposing use holes may provide access to the volume of the container 501. In some embodiments, digit-hole 203 may be sized to removably receive at least one distal portion 9053 of digit 9051. In some embodiments, clipper-hole 207 may be sized to removably receive cutting end 9005 of nail clipper 9001.
In some embodiments, container 501 may comprise two hemispheres joined together, first-hemisphere 521 and second-hemisphere 523. In some embodiments, first-hemisphere 521 and second-hemisphere 523 may be joined together at a common-seam-line 225. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, first-hemisphere 521 may be joined to second-hemisphere 523 along the common-seam-line 225 by one or more of: a friction fit, a snap fit, a threaded fit, an ultrasonic weld, a heat weld, a solvent bond, or a chemical adhesive bond.
In some embodiments of nail clippings catcher 500, common-seam-line 225 may be substantially perpendicular to: the major surfaces of digit-disk 205 and/or to the major surfaces of clipper-disk 209. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, first-hemisphere 521 may comprise half-clipper-disk-cutout 229. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, digit-disk 205 may be joined to second-hemisphere 523 at half-digit-disk-cutout 227 by one or more of: a friction fit, a snap fit, a threaded fit, an ultrasonic weld, a heat weld, a solvent bond, or a chemical adhesive bond.
In some embodiments, clipper-disk 209 may be joined to first-hemisphere 521 at half-clipper-disk-cutout 229 by one or more of: a friction fit, a snap fit, a threaded fit, an ultrasonic weld, a heat weld, a solvent bond, or a chemical adhesive bond.
In some embodiments, container 501 may comprise interior surfaces 561. See e.g.,
A
As shown in
In some embodiments, nail clippings catcher 600 may comprise container 601. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, container 601 may be one or more of: elastomeric, flexible, semi-flexible, semi-rigid, or rigid. In some embodiments, container 601 may be elastomeric, flexible, semi-flexible, semi-rigid, or rigid. In some embodiments, at least a quarter of container 601 may be substantially transparent. In some embodiments, container 601 may be substantially transparent.
In some embodiments, nail clippings catcher 600 may comprise two substantially opposing use holes, a digit-hole 203 and a clipper-hole 207. In some embodiments, these two substantially opposing use holes may be located as part of container 601. In some embodiments, these two substantially opposing use holes may provide access to the volume of the container 601. In some embodiments, digit-hole 203 may be sized to removably receive at least one distal portion 9053 of digit 9051. In some embodiments, clipper-hole 207 may be sized to removably receive cutting end 9005 of nail clipper 9001.
In some embodiments, container 601 may comprise two hemispheres joined together, first-hemisphere 621 and second-hemisphere 623. In some embodiments, first-hemisphere 621 and second-hemisphere 623 may be joined together at common-seam-line 225. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, first-hemisphere 621 may be joined to second-hemisphere 623 along the common-seam-line 225 by one or more of: a friction fit, a snap fit, a threaded fit, an ultrasonic weld, a heat weld, a solvent bond, or a chemical adhesive bond.
In some embodiments of nail clippings catcher 600, common-seam-line 225 may be substantially perpendicular to: the major surfaces of digit-disk 205 and/or to the major surfaces of clipper-disk 209. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, second-hemisphere 623 may comprise half-digit-disk-cutout 227. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, digit-disk 205 may be joined to second-hemisphere 623 at half-digit-disk-cutout 227 by one or more of: a friction fit, a snap fit, a threaded fit, an ultrasonic weld, a heat weld, a solvent bond, or a chemical adhesive bond.
In some embodiments, clipper-disk 209 may be joined to second-hemisphere 623 at half-clipper-disk-cutout 229 by one or more of: a friction fit, a snap fit, a threaded fit, an ultrasonic weld, a heat weld, a solvent bond, or a chemical adhesive bond.
In some embodiments, container 601 may comprise interior surfaces 661. See e.g.,
A
As shown in
In some embodiments, nail clippings catcher 700 may comprise container 701. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, container 701 may be one or more of: elastomeric, flexible, semi-flexible, semi-rigid, or rigid. In some embodiments, container 701 may be elastomeric, flexible, semi-flexible, semi-rigid, or rigid. In some embodiments, at least a quarter of container 701 may be substantially transparent. In some embodiments, container 701 may be substantially transparent.
In some embodiments, nail clippings catcher 700 may comprise two substantially opposing use holes, a digit-hole 203 and a clipper-hole 207. In some embodiments, these two substantially opposing use holes may be located as part of container 701. In some embodiments, these two substantially opposing use holes may provide access to the volume of the container 701. In some embodiments, digit-hole 203 may be sized to removably receive at least one distal portion 9053 of digit 9051. In some embodiments, clipper-hole 207 may be sized to removably receive cutting end 9005 of nail clipper 9001.
In some embodiments, container 701 may comprise two hemispheres joined together, first-hemisphere 721 and second-hemisphere 723. In some embodiments, first-hemisphere 721 and second-hemisphere 723 may be joined together at a common-seam-line 725. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, first-hemisphere 721 may be joined to second-hemisphere 723 along the common-seam-line 725 by one or more of: a friction fit, a snap fit, a threaded fit, an ultrasonic weld, a heat weld, a solvent bond, or a chemical adhesive bond.
In some embodiments of nail clippings catcher 700, common-seam-line 325 may be substantially parallel to: digit-disk-cutout 327 and/or to clipper-disk-cutout 329. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, digit-disk 205 may be joined to first-hemisphere 721 at digit-disk-cutout 327 by one or more of: a friction fit, a snap fit, a threaded fit, an ultrasonic weld, a heat weld, a solvent bond, or a chemical adhesive bond.
In some embodiments, clipper-disk 209 may be joined to second-hemisphere 723 at clipper-disk-cutout 329 by one or more of: a friction fit, a snap fit, a threaded fit, an ultrasonic weld, a heat weld, a solvent bond, or a chemical adhesive bond.
In some embodiments of nail clippings catcher 700, along a portion of common-seam-line 725 may be hinge 751. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, container 701 may comprise interior surfaces 761. See e.g.,
A
As shown in
In some embodiments, nail clippings catcher 800 may comprise container 801. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, container 801 may be one or more of: elastomeric, flexible, semi-flexible, semi-rigid, or rigid. In some embodiments, container 801 may be elastomeric, flexible, semi-flexible, semi-rigid, or rigid. In some embodiments, at least a quarter of container 801 may be substantially transparent. In some embodiments, container 801 may be substantially transparent.
In some embodiments, nail clippings catcher 800 may comprise two substantially opposing use holes, a digit-hole 203 and a clipper-hole 207. In some embodiments, these two substantially opposing use holes may be located as part of container 801. In some embodiments, these two substantially opposing use holes may provide access to the volume of the container 801. In some embodiments, digit-hole 203 may be sized to removably receive at least one distal portion 9053 of digit 9051. In some embodiments, clipper-hole 207 may be sized to removably receive cutting end 9005 of nail clipper 9001.
In some embodiments, container 801 may comprise two hemispheres joined together, first-hemisphere 821 and second-hemisphere 823. In some embodiments, first-hemisphere 821 and second-hemisphere 823 may be joined together at a common-seam-line 825. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, first-hemisphere 821 may be joined to second-hemisphere 823 along the common-seam-line 825 by one or more of: a friction fit, a snap fit, a threaded fit, an ultrasonic weld, a heat weld, a solvent bond, or a chemical adhesive bond.
In some embodiments of nail clippings catcher 800, along a portion of common-seam-line 825 may be hinge 851. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, container 801 may comprise interior surfaces 861. See e.g.,
A
As shown in
In some embodiments, nail clippings catcher 900 may comprise container 901. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, container 901 may be one or more of: elastomeric, flexible, semi-flexible, semi-rigid, or rigid. In some embodiments, container 901 may be elastomeric, flexible, semi-flexible, semi-rigid, or rigid. In some embodiments, at least a quarter of container 901 may be substantially transparent. In some embodiments, container 901 may be substantially transparent. In some embodiments, hemisphere-housing 983 may be substantially transparent.
In some embodiments, nail clippings catcher 900 may comprise two substantially opposing use holes, a digit-hole 903 and clipper-hole 207. In some embodiments, these two substantially opposing use holes may be located as part of container 901. In some embodiments, these two substantially opposing use holes may provide access to the volume of the container 901. In some embodiments, digit-hole 903 may be sized to removably receive at least one distal portion 9053 of digit 9051. In some embodiments, clipper-hole 207 may be sized to removably receive cutting end 9005 of nail clipper 9001.
In some embodiments, container 901 may comprise: collar 971, iris-opening 973, union 977, and hemisphere-housing 983. In some embodiments, iris-opening 973 may circumscribe digit-hole 903. In some embodiments, iris-opening 973 may be a mechanical iris with a plurality of blades 975 that partially opens and partially closes, changing a diameter of digit-hole 903. See e.g.,
In some embodiments, at least a portion of hemisphere-housing 983 may be substantially transparent. In some embodiments, at least a portion of collar 971 may be substantially transparent. In some embodiments, at least a portion of each blade 975 may be substantially transparent.
In some embodiments, clipper-disk 209 may be joined to hemisphere-housing 983 at clipper-disk-cutout 329 by one or more of: a friction fit, a snap fit, a threaded fit, an ultrasonic weld, a heat weld, a solvent bond, or a chemical adhesive bond.
In some embodiments, container 901 may comprise interior surfaces 961. See e.g.,
Note, in some embodiments, nail clippings catcher 200 shown in
In some embodiments, a system for cutting nails and catching cut nail clippings may comprise a nail clipper and a nail clipping catcher. For example, and without limiting the scope of the present invention, such a nail clipper may be nail clipper 9001 (see e.g.,
Note, the various hemispheres (e.g., various first-hemispheres and various second-hemispheres, and/or hemisphere housing 983), and component parts in general (e.g., digit-disk 205 and/or clipper-disk 209) described and disclosed herein may be constructed substantially from one or more elastomers and/or plastics.
Note, the various hemispheres (e.g., various first-hemispheres and various second-hemispheres, and/or hemisphere housing 983), and component parts in general (e.g., digit-disk 205 and/or clipper-disk 209) described and disclosed herein may be manufactured via injection molding and/or via 3D printing. In some embodiments, digit-disk 205 and/or clipper-disk 209 may be formed from die cutting of sheets of appropriate elastomers. In some embodiments, digit-disk 205 and/or clipper-disk 209 may be formed from die cutting of sheets of appropriate plastics.
Note, the various hemispheres (e.g., various first-hemispheres and various second-hemispheres, and/or hemisphere housing 983), and component parts in general (e.g., digit-disk 205 and/or clipper-disk 209) described and disclosed herein may be constructed substantially from one or more elastomers and/or plastics that are suitable for repeated sterilization via one or more of: microwaves, bleach, alcohols, peroxides, oxidizing agents, and the like.
Note, the various nail clippings catchers (e.g., 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, and/or 900) described and disclosed herein may be suitable for use with either fingernails or toenails.
Note, in some embodiments, the various containers (e.g., 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, 701, 801, and/or 901) described and disclosed herein may be substantially shaped as spheres or ovoids, with at least one flat exterior portion.
Note, component parts of the various nail clippings catchers (e.g., 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, and/or 900) may be substantially constructed of one or more of: thermoformed plastics and/or elastomers. For example, and without limiting the scope of the present invention, some such elastomers may be silicone(s) and/or rubber(s) (natural and/or synthetic). In some embodiments, all such component parts may be substantially constructed from the same plastics and/or elastomers. In some embodiments, all such component parts may be substantially constructed from different plastics and/or elastomers. For example, and without limiting the scope of the present invention, in some embodiments, digit-disk 205 and/or clipper-disk 209 may be substantially constructed from an elastomer(s); while hemisphere component parts may be substantially constructed from one or more thermoformed plastics.
Various nail clippings catchers have been described and disclosed. The foregoing description of the various exemplary embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and disclosure. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching without departing from the spirit of the invention.
While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A nail clippings catcher comprising:
- a container for receiving at least one distal portion of a digit, for receiving a cutting end of a nail clipper, and for receiving a plurality of cut nail clippings; wherein the container is substantially hollow and substantially circumscribes a volume;
- two substantially opposing use holes, a digit-hole and a clipper-hole; wherein these two substantially opposing use holes are located on the container; wherein these two substantially opposing use holes provide access to the volume of the container; wherein the digit-hole is sized to removably receive the at least one distal portion of the digit and the clipper-hole is sized to removably receive the cutting end of the nail clipper;
- wherein the clipper-hole is formed in a clipper-disk; wherein the clipper-disk is an annular disk; wherein the clipper-hole outlines a shape that comprises a pair of opposing major tabs, followed by a pair of opposing pockets, followed by a pair of opposing minor tabs, and then followed by another pair of opposing pockets; wherein the pair of opposing minor tabs protrude into a gap between two squeeze ends of the nail clipper when the cutting end is removably inserted into the clipper-hole, where the pair of opposing minor tabs act as a barrier to minimize at least some of the plurality of cut nail clippings from escaping the volume.
2. The nail clippings catcher according to claim 1, wherein the container comprises a digit-disk; wherein the digit-hole is formed in the digit-disk; wherein the clipper-disk is a different annular disk; wherein the digit-hole outlines an opening to the volume.
3. The nail clippings catcher according to claim 2, wherein the opening comprises two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten substantially equally spaced slits that slit into the digit-disk.
4. The nail clippings catcher according to claim 2, wherein the digit-disk is one or more of: elastomeric, flexible, semi-flexible, or semi-rigid.
5. The nail clippings catcher according to claim 1, wherein the clipper disk is one or more of: elastomeric, flexible, semi-flexible, or semi-rigid.
6. The nail clippings catcher according to claim 1, wherein the container is one or more of: elastomeric, flexible, semi-flexible, semi-rigid, or rigid.
7. The nail clippings catcher according to claim 1, wherein at least a quarter of the container is substantially transparent.
8. The nail clippings catcher according to claim 1, wherein the container comprises two hemispheres joined together, a first-hemisphere and a second-hemisphere; wherein the first-hemisphere and the second-hemisphere are joined together at a common-seam-line.
9. The nail clippings catcher according to claim 8, wherein the first-hemisphere comprises two opposing cutouts, a half-digit-disk-cutout and a half-clipper-disk-cutout; wherein the second-hemisphere comprises two different opposing cutouts, a second-half-digit-disk-cutout and a second-half-clipper-disk-cutout; wherein when the first-hemisphere is joined to the second-hemisphere along the common-seam-line, the half-digit-disk-cutout and the second-half-digit-disk-cutout form a ring hole that captures a digit-disk; wherein the digit-disk comprises the digit-hole; wherein when the first-hemisphere is joined to the second-hemisphere along the common-seam-line, the half-clipper-disk-cutout and the second-half-clipper-disk-cutout form another ring hole that captures the clipper-disk.
10. The nail clippings catcher according to claim 8, wherein the first-hemisphere is joined to the second-hemisphere along the common-seam-line by one or more of: a friction fit, a snap fit, a threaded fit, an ultrasonic weld, a heat weld, a solvent bond, or a chemical adhesive bond.
11. The nail clippings catcher according to claim 8, wherein the first-hemisphere comprises a digit-disk-cutout; wherein the second-hemisphere comprises a clipper-disk-cutout; wherein when the first-hemisphere is joined to the second-hemisphere along the common-seam-line, the digit-disk-cutout captures a digit-disk; wherein the digit-disk comprises the digit-hole; wherein when the first-hemisphere is joined to the second-hemisphere along the common-seam-line, the clipper-disk-cutout captures the clipper-disk.
12. The nail clippings catcher according to claim 8, wherein the first-hemisphere is integral to a digit-disk; wherein the digit-disk comprises the digit-hole; wherein second-hemisphere is integral to the clipper-disk.
13. The nail clippings catcher according to claim 8, wherein the first-hemisphere is integral to a digit-disk; wherein the digit-disk comprises the digit-hole; wherein the first-hemisphere is also integral to the clipper-disk.
14. The nail clippings catcher according to claim 8, wherein along a portion of the common-seam-line is a hinge that permanently joins the first-hemisphere to the second-hemisphere.
15. The nail clippings catcher according to claim 1, wherein the container comprises interior surfaces that substantially circumscribe the volume; wherein substantially all of such interior surfaces are substantially smooth to facilitate cleaning and to minimize adhesion of microbial contaminants to such interior surfaces.
16. The nail clippings catcher according to claim 15, wherein the interior surfaces are treated with one or more of: a cleaner, an anti-microbial agent or a perfume.
17. The nail clippings catcher according to claim 1, wherein the container comprises: a collar, an iris-opening, a union, and a hemisphere-housing;
- wherein the iris-opening circumscribes the digit-hole; wherein the iris-opening is a mechanical iris with a plurality of blades that opens and closes changing a diameter of the digit-hole;
- wherein the iris-opening is disposed between the collar and a first-side of the union;
- wherein the hemisphere-housing is attached to a second-side of the union; wherein the second-side is disposed opposite from the first-side;
- wherein distal from the union on the hemisphere-housing is a clipper-disk-cutout that captures the clipper-disk.
18. The nail clippings catcher according to claim 17, wherein at least a portion of the hemisphere-housing is substantially transparent.
19. The nail clippings catcher according to claim 17, wherein at least a portion of the collar is substantially transparent.
20. A system for cutting nails and catching cut nail clippings comprising:
- a nail clipper;
- a nail clippings catcher comprising: a container for receiving at least one distal portion of a digit, for receiving a cutting end of the nail clipper, and for receiving a plurality of cut nail clippings; wherein the container is substantially hollow and substantially circumscribes a volume; two substantially opposing use holes, a digit-hole and a clipper-hole; wherein these two substantially opposing use holes are located on the container; wherein these two substantially opposing use holes provide access to the volume of the container; wherein the digit-hole is sized to removably receive the at least one distal portion of the digit and the clipper-hole is sized to removably receive the cutting end of the nail clipper; wherein the clipper-hole is formed in a clipper-disk; wherein the clipper-disk is an annular disk; wherein the clipper-hole outlines a shape that comprises a pair of opposing major tabs, followed by a pair of opposing pockets, followed by a pair of opposing minor tabs, and then followed by another pair of opposing pockets; wherein the pair of opposing minor tabs protrude into a gap between two squeeze ends of the nail clipper when the cutting end is removably inserted into the clipper-hole, where the pair of opposing minor tabs act as a barrier to minimize at least some of the plurality of cut nail clippings from escaping the volume.
Type: Application
Filed: May 4, 2016
Publication Date: Nov 10, 2016
Inventor: Cristian Wheeler (Santa Barbara, CA)
Application Number: 15/146,314