Abstract:
The present invention relates to an imprint collecting device used to collect imprints such as fingerprints for use in applications such as manufacturing personalized decorative items such as jewelry, and to methods of manufacturing the imprint collecting device.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to an imprint collecting device for collecting imprints such as fingerprints which can be employed in applications such as the creation of personalized decorative items. The invention further relates to methods of manufacturing said imprint collecting device. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Personalized decorative items and mementos such as jewelry, charms, keychains and the like, have recently been gaining in popularity with consumers. One means of personalizing items has been with permanent representations of fingerprints. For instance, many parents of young children or infants wish to capture a representation of their child&#39;s fingerprints, and have these impressions preserved and incorporated into jewelry, such as charms, made of precious or semi-precious metals. Persons may also wish to capture and use representations of adult fingerprints in the same manner. As well, many wish to have preserved imprints of an infant or child&#39;s appendage such as a hand or foot, or even pawprints of beloved pets such as dogs and cats. 
         [0003]    Such personalized jewelry or other decorative items may be created in accordance with known methods. For instance, fingerprints can be taken by pressing the subject&#39;s finger into wax, followed by the creation of a mold which is ultimately used to cast the fingerprint impression into relief on a permanent object. There is also a specialized type of clay commercially available known as metal clay, which can itself be fired in a kiln after an impression is taken, and then incorporated into the decorative object or jewelry without the need for creating a mold. 
         [0004]    The collection of imprints for the above purpose is a process with some inherent difficulties and inconveniences. A principal difficulty has been the necessity for the subject who is providing an imprint to attend in person at the site of the jeweler or other professional who is to receive the impression in the wax or clay. This has been necessary as there has never existed in the field an inexpensive container that can be used to ship a quantity of deformable material such as clay that will keep the clay malleable until it is deformed with a three-dimensional impression, and also keep the impression intact during shipment to the jeweler. The difficulties with designing such a container have centred around the fact that adequate air space must be provided in such a container to accommodate the three-dimensional impression, and to preserve the impression so that it arrives safely at the jeweler. However, allowing too much space in the container will be problematic because the clay can shift during shipment with damage resulting to the three-dimensional impression. As well, clay is a humid substance that is highly susceptible to rapid moisture loss in the presence of even a small volume of air. Moisture lost from the clay tends to condense on the inside of the container, and the clay dries out. Once the clay dries out, an accurate impression of the delicate features of a fingerprint cannot be captured. 
         [0005]    What is needed is an inexpensively constructed, shippable container for a deformable material such as clay which will prevent the clay from drying out prior to use, and which can be used to ship the deformed clay, all while protecting the integrity of the imprint. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention provides an imprint collecting device which contains a sufficient quantity of clay to receive a three-dimensional impression of an imprint, said device having a lid, a recess into which the clay is inserted, and a seal for covering the surface of the clay in the container. 
         [0007]    In one embodiment the present invention provides a quantity of metal clay which is pressed into a disk and inserted into a recess of a plastic tray with a hinged lid. The clay is covered with a protective seal made of wax that has been sprayed with a non-stick silicone spray. The wax seal protects the exposed surface of the clay during shipment to a customer, and prevents the clay from drying out. Once the customer has received the container, the lid is opened, the wax seal is removed and discarded, and the impression made. The lid can then be closed. The lid is configured to leave some air space between the lid and the wax seal when closed in the absence of the seal, which serves to protect the integrity of the three-dimensional impression and further allows for additional air to circulate in the container, dry the deformed clay, and further preserve the impression. The impressed clay can then be shipped back in the container, and safely delivered to the jeweler or other professional. 
         [0008]    A further aspect of this invention is a manufacturing method for making devices for shipping deformable materials such as clay. A container is preformed to incorporate a recess, and a snugly fitting fold-over lid. A wax seal in the shape of a disk is also preformed to fit the recess of the tray. The tray is placed on the plate of a press such as an arbour press. A quantity of clay is then placed into the recess of the tray, and the ram of the press is lowered onto the clay and pressure applied to form the clay into a malleable, flat disk with a smooth surface. The wax seal is sprayed with a lubricating spray, and placed, coated side down, onto the disk of clay. The lid of the tray is then folded over and closed to secure the disk of clay in place. 
         [0009]    Yet a further aspect of this invention is a kit including the imprint collecting device described above, which can be mailed to the consumer. The kit is accompanied by written directions that instruct the consumer in the use of the imprint collecting device. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The present invention will now be better understood with reference to the description and to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the imprint collecting device in accordance with one aspect of the invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is an front elevation view of the imprint collecting device from the viewpoint indicated by the numeral  2  in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional side view of the imprint collecting device taken along the line indicated by the numeral  3  in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the imprint collecting device with the lid opened. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0015]    The present invention provides an imprint collecting device comprising a sufficient quantity of deformable material such as clay to receive a three-dimensional impression of an imprint such as a fingerprint, said container having a lid, a recess into which the clay is inserted, and a seal for covering the surface of the clay in the container. The device of the present invention maintains the moisture necessary to preserve the deformable material so that it is kept sufficiently malleable until use. After the material receives a three dimensional impression, the device safely contains and protects the impression in the deformable material until it has been sent to the jeweler and a permanent representation of the impression captured as part of a personalized decorative object. 
         [0016]    As set out above, one feature of the device of the invention is that the moisture is maintained in the deformable material prior to use. A number of experiments were conducted using metal clay in combination with different substances and configurations further to developing the device of the present invention. Various configurations were attempted in an effort to increase or control the ambient humidity in the containers. The results obtained with alternate configurations are summarized in Table 1 below. As set out in Table 1, until the invention described herein was developed, numerous problems were encountered including evaporation of moisture out of the clay, and loss of malleability. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Test Combination 
                 Moisture Retention 
                 Clay Malleability 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 Clay alone (control) 
                 Moisture condensed on surface of clay 
                 Decreased malleability 
               
               
                   
                 and on interior of lid 
               
               
                 Clay + drop of distilled water 
                 Moisture condensed on surface of clay 
                 Decreased malleability 
               
               
                   
                 and on interior of lid 
               
               
                 Clay + moist towellette* 
                 Moisture condensed on surface of clay 
                 Decreased malleability 
               
               
                   
                 and on interior of lid 
               
               
                 Clay + acetate film cover 
                 Moisture condensed on interior of lid 
                 Decreased malleability 
               
               
                 Clay + acetate film cover + moist 
                 Moisture condensed on interior of lid 
                 Decreased malleability 
               
               
                 towellette 
               
               
                 Clay + drop of mineral oil 
                 Moisture condensed on interior of lid 
                 Decreased malleability 
               
               
                 Clay + drop of mineral oil + acetate 
                 Moisture condensed on interior of lid 
                 Acceptable malleability 
               
               
                 film cover 
               
               
                 Clay + plastic cling film cover 
                 Moisture condensed on interior of lid 
                 Decreased malleability 
               
               
                 Clay + drop of mineral oil + plastic 
                 No condensation 
                 Inconsistent impact on 
               
               
                 cling film cover 
                   
                 malleability 
               
               
                 Clay + silicone seal with flange 
                 No condensation 
                 Decreased malleability 
               
               
                 Clay + silicone seal without flange 
                 No condensation 
                 Decreased malleability 
               
               
                 Clay + wax seal with flange + drop 
                 Condensation on clay surface 
                 Decreased malleability 
               
               
                 mineral oil 
               
               
                 Clay + drop of distilled water + 
                 Condensation on clay surface 
                 Acceptable malleability 
               
               
                 wax seal with flange 
               
               
                 Clay + Castaldo ™ release spray + 
                 No condensation 
                 Retained malleability 
               
               
                 wax seal with flange 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 All samples were sealed and placed in age-testing incubator, model 1510E, manufactured by VWR Scientific Products. According to the manufacturer, 24 hours in this incubator at 125 F. is equivalent to 52 days of aging at ambient temperatures. 
               
               
                 All samples were aged in the incubator for 24 hours, which was maintained at a temperature of 125 F. 
               
               
                 *moist towellette used was WET-NAP ™ brand. 
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0017]    The imprint collecting device of the invention will now be described in further detail with reference to  FIGS. 1 through 4  in which the imprint collecting device is indicated generally at numeral  10 . 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  shows one embodiment of the imprint collecting device  10 , which comprises a recessed tray  11  attached to a lid  12  by way of hinge  13 . Lid  12  is secured shut against recessed tray  11  by the application of light pressure. 
         [0019]    Recessed tray  11  also incorporates recess  14 , depicted as circular in this embodiment, into which a quantity of deformable material  15  (see  FIGS. 3 and 4 ) is inserted. If the impression will be a fingerprint, it has been found that a diameter of 23 mm and a depth of 3 mm for recess  14  are suitable dimensions. A suitable quantity of deformable material  15  for a single fingerprint is 5 g. However, this invention should not be considered to be limited to the stated dimensions. Different dimensions for recess  14  may be used, and amounts of deformable material  15  may be varied depending on the intended use. For instance, larger dimensions for recessed tray  11  and recess  14 , and a larger quantity of deformable material  15 , are needed if an impression will be taken of an appendage such as a hand, foot, or paw. 
         [0020]    A convenient material for fabricating recessed tray  11  and lid  12  is PVC (polyvinyl chloride). Recessed tray  11  and lid  12  can be manufactured by standard procedures such as thermoforming or injection molding. 
         [0021]    A suitable deformable material is a specialized type of clay known commonly as metal clay. It is available commercially from a number of companies, including Mitsubishi Materials™ under the brand name PMC™ (Precious Metal Clay) and from Aida Chemicals™ under the brand name ART CLAY SILVER™. However, other deformable materials may be used in place of metal clay, such as wax, putty, or other types of clay. 
         [0022]      FIG. 2  shows a front elevation view of imprint collecting device  10 , and displays the interlocking of recessed tray  11  and lid  12  when closed. 
         [0023]      FIG. 3  shows a cross-sectional side view of imprint collecting device  10 . Recessed tray  11  contains a quantity of deformable material  15  inserted into recess  14 . A seal  16  is placed on the exposed side of deformable material  15 , and secured in place with the closing of lid  12 . Seal  16  includes a flange  17  of larger diameter than recess  14 . Flange  17  provides additional protection against moisture loss from deformable material  15 . Seal  16  of the depicted embodiment may be formed of specialized wax known as jewelry wax, commercially available under the trade name FREEMAN™. 
         [0024]    As will be appreciated from  FIG. 3 , if seal  16  has been removed and lid  12  is secured shut against recessed tray  11 , there remains an interior space between the rim of recess  14  and lid  12 . This interior space is incorporated so as to accommodate any raised surfaces of deformable material  15  following an imprint being taken. In an embodiment which is dimensioned for accommodating a single fingerprint, the interior space may be approximately 1 mm in height. 
         [0025]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of imprint collecting device  10  with recessed tray  11  and lid  12  opened in relation to each other at hinge  13 . Clearly seen are recess  14 , into which deformable material  15  will be inserted when the device is closed, and the exposed surface of which will be covered by seal  16 , which incorporates flange  17 . 
         [0026]    A method for manufacturing imprint collecting device  10  of the present invention is also disclosed. Recessed tray  11  may be preformed to incorporate recess  14 , and lid  12 . Seal  16  may also be preformed with flange  17  to fit recess  14  of recessed tray  11 . Lid  12  may be raised from recessed tray  11  to expose recess  14 , and recessed tray  11  may then be placed, with recess  14  facing upwards, onto the press plate of a press such as an arbour press. A quantity of deformable material  15  may then be placed into recess  14  of the tray, and the ram of the press lowered onto deformable material  15  and pressure applied to press deformable material  15  into a malleable, flat disk with a smooth surface. Seal  16  may be sprayed with a non-stick spray such as the jewelry mold release spray commercially available under the brand CASTALDO™. Seal  16  may then be placed so that the sprayed side is adjacent to the exposed surface of the disk of deformable material  15 . Lid  12  may then be folded over and closed against recessed tray  11  to secure seal  16  in place. 
         [0027]    Alternately, deformable material  15  may not require pressing if said deformable material  15  is provided in an amount appropriate to fit recess  14 , or if said deformable material  15  is placed into recess  14  by a method such as extrusion. As well, seal  16  may be made of other materials that may not require a non-stick spray coating. Other possible materials for seal  16  are substantially moisture proof sheet materials such as foil laminate, paper laminate, or a barrier plastic. If such sheet materials are used for seal  16 , they can be pre-cut to a size in excess of perimeter of recess  14 , to allow seal  16  to be attached to perimeter of recess  14  by means such as adhesive or heat sealing. 
         [0028]    Following its manufacture, imprint collecting device  10  may then optionally be inserted into a foil pouch or envelope (not shown) and sealed therein, using adhesive or a standard heat sealing press. A favoured material used for the foil pouch is a barrier material that is substantially resistant to the passage of moisture and air, such as a layered barrier material which includes PET (polyethylene terephthalate), foil, and LLDPE (linear low density polyethylene). It is additionally beneficial if the foil pouch material has a printable surface and incorporates tear notches for easy opening. 
         [0029]    Further, a kit incorporating the imprint collecting device  10  of the present invention to obtain an imprint is also disclosed. Such a kit includes imprint collecting device  10  and written instructions which direct a user in the method of employing imprint collecting device  10 . The user is instructed to remove seal  16 , impress the object to be imprinted into deformable material  15 , close lid  12  on recessed tray  11 , and send imprint collecting device  10  to a specified professional for processing. Upon receipt, the professional may then immediately employ the imprint captured in deformable material  15  to create a personalized decorative item incorporating the imprint. 
         [0030]    The invention described herein is a practical and inexpensive way of remotely obtaining imprints for use in the creation of jewelry and other decorative items. The invention preserves the moisture in the clay until a three-dimensional impression is taken, and then protects the integrity of that three-dimensional impression until it is received by a jeweler. The invention is simple to manufacture and use, and is expected to permit the creation of personalized decorative items on a wider commercial scale than has been previously permitted due to the limitations of the existing technology and processes. 
         [0031]    While the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that numerous variations, modifications, and embodiment are possible. For instance, while metal clay is described as the deformable material in the preferred embodiment, any number of other deformable substances such as wax, putty, or the like could be used in place of metal clay. Accordingly, all such variations, modifications and embodiments are to be regarded as being within the spirit and scope of the invention.