Patent Publication Number: US-2023157433-A1

Title: Hands to Feet/Paws to Claws

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present United States patent application is a nonprovisional utility patent application based upon my provisional United States utility patent application bearing U.S. Ser. No. 63/120,094 filed Dec. 1, 2020, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for purposes of priority. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present subject matter, directed in general to a nail clipper for humans, is more particularly directed to a nail dipping system, as characterized by the title. 
     Further in this regard, the present subject matter is directed to a novel clipped-nail catching-and-retaining system that includes, in present embodiments, an assortment of nail-catching bags or enclosures of various shapes, size and color, preferably transparent, designed for hygienic purposes and the convenience of the user, and for capturing clipped nails of humans as well as animals, particularly pets. 
     Still further, the present subject matter is compatible with most nail clippers and nail hygiene tools for humans and pets. Systems of the present subject matter include clipped-nail capturing bags or enclosures of various size to enclose human hands or feet—or fingers or toes—or animal claws, which I characterize as “paws.” 
     BACKGROUND 
     Fingernail and toenail hygiene and maintenance is important to humans and animals. A lack of proper fingernail and toenail hygiene and maintenance in humans and associated nail and paw hygiene and maintenance in pets could result in a higher risk of acquiring disease due to germs and dirt that accumulate under nails. 
     Moreover, the care and maintenance of human toenails is crucial to avoid fungal development and associated infection that results from such development. 
     Furthermore, a lack of proper toenail hygiene and/or maintenance could result in a higher likelihood of developing ingrown toenails or similar complications. As a result, there is a need for human fingernail and toenail care and maintenance. 
     When it comes to pets, the maintenance of their claws is crucial for various reasons. For instance, aside from a hygiene and maintenance aspect, it is important to, and often preferred by, many pet owners that their pets have duller and shorter claws, so as not to accidentally damage special furniture such as leather couches or chairs, or not to accidentally scratch owners when playing or interacting with them. For animals, such possibilities can thus pose a further need for claw maintenance. 
     One of the biggest problems or inconveniences faced, when one performs a typical fingernail and/or toenail maintenance routine, is the “clippings” mess that results. For instance, one byproduct of fingernail and/or toenail maintenance are the “clippings,” which typically consist of flying pieces of fingernails and/or toenails which may not be easy to find even when they land on a high color-contrast surface and which may be difficult to find when they land on a low color-contrast surface, where the term “color-contrast” shall be understood to mean the contrast in color between a color of a clipping and a color of a surface upon which the clippings land. 
     Also, it is well known that clippings may not simply fall vertically downward after a fingernail and/or toenail is cut, but rather can be jettisoned to unknown regions. Moreover, clippings are springy and can bounce off surfaces upon which they land. Therefore, typical trashcans and ordinary bags are not good options for efficiently collecting them, since it is very difficult to predict where such clippings will result. Thus, there is a need for a reliable and easy-to-use solution to the “clippings” mess problem or inconvenience resulting from performing fingernail and toenail maintenance routines on humans and paw maintenance on animals. 
     The US patent office was searched for prior art involving this field; and the prior art found was analyzed for possible solutions to the “clippings” mess problem. 
     For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,150,521 to Han, disclosing a nail collection box for a nail clipper, was found. While asserting that its “nail collection box can effectively collect clipped nail fragments and prevent the collected nail fragments from scattering,” there is no structure disclosed that would, in fact, “effectively collect clipped nail fragments and prevent the collected nail fragments from scattering.” 
     Also found was U.S. Pat. No. 5,459,926 to Perea which discloses a nail-clipping and nail-catching implement including a nail clipper having a forward end portion to sever nail fragments from a fingernail and a collector assembly fitted over the forward end portion. The collector assembly includes a collection receptacle having an interior collection chamber for catching and retaining the severed nail fragments and an elongated rod that is attached to, and extends between, opposite sides of the collection receptacle and that is coupled to the nail clipper forward end portion. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,632,288 to Webb, directed to a nail clippings catcher, discloses a catcher for nail clippings. While the &#39;288 patent asserts its “catcher” is shaped to slip onto a “standard” nail clipper, it is unclear what a standard nail clipper is, since merchants sell an assortment of nail clippers that have different shapes and sizes. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 10,517,368 to Lyttle et al. discloses a nail clipping and collecting device that includes a housing and a clipper. The housing includes first and second actuation mechanisms. Also, the housing has an interior that encloses the clipper. 
     US published application 2011/0061668 to Saenim for nail trimming systems discloses a rectangular embodiment, and cylindrical embodiments, of an elongated receptacle that is attached to a nail-clipping end of a nail clipper of special design. 
     The complexity of the structures disclosed in these US patents and published application do not provide an easy-to-use solution to the problem or inconvenience noted above, and essentially prevent efficiently collecting all “clippings” produced. 
     Thus, there is still a need for a solution to the problem or inconvenience noted above, which efficiently collects essentially all “clippings” that are produced. 
     The present subject matter, presenting several embodiments of a reliable and easy-to-use solution to this problem or inconvenience, will now be summarized. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present subject matter—my present invention—is generally directed to a clipped nail-catching and nail-capturing system consisting essentially of a nail clipper in combination with a bag or enclosure, preferably transparent, of special design for hygienic and convenient catching-and-capturing of essentially all clipped finger and/or toe “nails” of humans as well as the clipped paw “nails” of animals, especially pets. My use of the term “nails” throughout this patent specification shall refer to human fingernails and/or toenails and/or claw clippings from animal paws. 
     The present subject matter is compatible with most presently available nail clippers and/or nail hygiene tools. The present subject matter consists essentially of an assortment of my special designs for clipped nail-catching and nail-capturing bags or enclosures of various shapes, sizes, and color in combination with such nail clippers and/or nail hygiene tools. My use of the term “enclosure” throughout this patent application shall refer to a structure for containing substantially all clippings produced. Thus, an enclosure can take the form or shape of a shirt sleeve or pant leg in addition to an assortment of bags described below, and contain nail clippings. 
     In embodiments, a nail-catching and nail-capturing bag or enclosure for retaining substantially all such nail “clippings” has a first aperture or opening. The term “enclosure” as used herein shall be understood as a structure that resembles a shirt sleeve or a pant leg. The bag or enclosure includes an elastic band securely arranged about an edge margin of the aperture or opening in such a way so that the bag or enclosure fits around an animal paw and/or a human hand and/or a human foot in such a manner as to retain substantially all nail “cuttings” collected. 
     Embodiments of the present subject matter are exemplified by a variety of configurations and designs adaptable to specific sizes, materials, and applications. 
     The following sections of this patent specification shall be understood to describe the embodiments, components, configurations, variations, and/or other aspects of the present subject matter. Furthermore, any description, illustration, and/or disclosure, express or implied, shall be understood as my intent to explain my invention summarily or in detail, rather than to limit the scope of my invention. 
     In addition, the figures briefly described below are provided for the purpose of depicting present embodiments of my invention, and the detailed description below relating to those figures is not intended to limit the scope of my invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
         FIG.  1    is front elevational and perspective view of an embodiment of a clipped nail-catching and nail-capturing system that consists essentially of a nail clipper in combination with a bag, in accordance with the present subject matter. 
         FIG.  2   , similar to the view of  FIG.  1   , depicts another embodiment of a bag. 
         FIG.  3   , based on the view of  FIG.  2   , depicts another embodiment of a clipper. 
         FIG.  4    is a front elevational and perspective view of a double-bag system comprising a first bag embodiment of the present subject matter within a second bag, also of the present subject matter, sized to conveniently contain the first bag. 
         FIG.  5   , a side elevational and perspective view, shows another second bag. 
         FIG.  6   , yet another side elevational and perspective view, shows still another embodiment of the second bag, in accordance with the present subject matter. 
         FIG.  7    is a frontal view of an additional embodiment of the second bag. 
         FIG.  8    is a plan view of another embodiment of a clear plastic first bag. 
         FIG.  9    is a plan view of still another embodiment of a clear plastic first bag. 
         FIG.  10    presents a perspective view of an enclosure used in combination with a nail clipper, which is yet another embodiment of the present subject matter. 
         FIG.  11    is a plan view of a variety of plastic bags and enclosures, some of which are shown with nail clippers, in accordance with the present subject matter. 
     
    
    
     Throughout the drawing figures and detailed description, I shad use similar reference numerals to refer to similar components of the present subject matter. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   , the present subject matter—my present invention—is generally directed to a clipped nail-catching and nail-capturing system  100 A consisting essentially of a nail clipper  102 A in combination with a bag  104 A. In additional embodiments, I shall describe a clipped nail-catching and nail-capturing system consisting essentially of a nail clipper in combination with an enclosure. The bag  104 A, preferably transparent, is manufactured to be hygienic and conveniently sized for catching and capturing clipped nails of humans and animals such as pets. In embodiments, my bags are preferable manufactured from a relatively thin-film polymeric material—e.g., polyethylene or polypropylene—or a transparent fabric. 
     The clipped nail-catching and nail-capturing system of the present subject matter is compatible with most nail clippers and hygiene accessories now being sold. Examples of such nail hygiene accessories are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,249,674 to Lepie as well as in US published patent application 2020/0268137 to Lopiccolo, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
     A compatible nail clipper  102 A, shown in  FIGS.  1  and  2   , shall now briefly be described. The nail clipper  102 A includes an elongated first or upper spring member  106 A terminating in an upper or first cutting edge  108 A ( FIG.  2   ). The nail clipper  102 A also includes a spring-biased (i.e., opposed) second or lower spring member  110 A terminating in a lower or second cutting edge  112 A ( FIGS.  1  and  2   ). The nail clipper  102 A further includes a pin  114 A, located closely adjacent the first and second cutting edges  108 A and  112 A. The nail clipper  102 A also includes a cam lever  116 A, pivotally secured to the pin  114 A, for enabling a person to depress the lever  116 A and cause the first and second cutting edges  108 A and  112 A to clip nails. While operation of the nail dipper  102 A is well known, U.S. Pat. No. 5,459,926 to Perea is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety to confirm nail clipper operation and provide disclosure of other components of a compatible nail clipper. 
     Exemplary embodiments of the clipped nail-catching and nail-capturing bags of the present subject matter as shown in my figures will now be described in detail. 
     The exemplary bag  104 A shown in  FIG.  1    includes a first sidewall  120 A and a second sidewall spaced behind the first sidewall  120 A, Bag  104 A includes edge portions  122 A where edge margins of first and second sidewalls are joined together in a fluid-tight manner by known methods including but not limited to heat sealing, adhesively sealing, etc. The bag  104 A further includes a first orifice or opening  124 A dimensioned for enabling a person to insert a finger or a toe and/or an animal to insert a paw into an interior region located between the first and second sidewalls. 
     The exemplary bag  104 B shown in  FIG.  2    includes a second orifice or opening  126 B located spaced from the first orifice or opening  124 B. The second orifice or opening  126 B is configured to allow operative end portions of the first and second spring members  106 A and  110 A and cam lever  116 A of the nail clipper  102 A to extend outwardly while the first and second cutting edges  108 A and  112 A are located within the interior region that is between the first and second sidewalls. 
     In comparison, the exemplary bag  104 A shown in  FIG.  1    also includes a second orifice or opening  126 A and further includes a third orifice or opening  128 A, both being located spaced from the first orifice or opening  124 A. The second orifice or opening  126 B is configured to allow operative end portions of the first and second spring members  106 A and  110 A of nail clipper  102 A to extend outwardly. The third orifice or opening  128 A is configured to allow the cam lever  116 A of the nail clipper  102 A to also extend outwardly, when the first and second cutting edges  108 A and  112 A are within the interior region. Bag  104 B has an edge margin  129 B opposite its first orifice or opening  124 B; and bag  104 A similarly has an edge margin  129 A opposite its first orifice or opening  124 A. Note that while the second orifice or opening  126 B for bag  104 B is located along a lateral edge portion of its edge margin  129 B, the second and third orifices or openings  126 A and  128 A, described above for bag  104 A, are approximately centrally located along edge margin  129 A. 
     Both of the exemplary bags  104 A and  104 B shown in  FIGS.  1  and  2    have an elastic band  130 A secured to a perimeter of first orifice or opening  124 A and  124 B. In embodiments, the elastic band  130 A is shaped, sized, and dimensioned to snugly encircle a human finger ( FIG.  2   ), human toe, and/or an animal paw inserted via the orifice or opening  124 A,  124 B into the interior region for nail clipping purposes, so that substantially all nail clippings remain in the illustrated bags  104 A,  104 B (shown in  FIGS.  1  and  2   ) between their respective first and second sidewalls. 
     In the following detailed description, I shall now describe in detail additional aspects or features of the present subject matter—my invention—for purposes of providing a complete disclosure. For instance, in embodiments, such as the clipped nail-catching and nail-capturing bag  104 B shown in  FIG.  2   , the interior region located between the first and second sidewalls is dimensioned to permit a slightly larger-sized compatible nail clipper  102 B ( FIG.  3   ) to be used in combination with the clipped nail-catching and nail-capturing bags of the present subject matter. 
     Another embodiment of the present subject matter is a double-bag system consisting of another embodiment of the clipped nail-catching and nail-capturing bag  104 C within a second bag  132 C, as shown in  FIG.  4   . In this embodiment, there is a second interior region  134 C, which is located between the bags  104 C and  132 C. 
     Moreover, other second bag embodiments, such as the second bag  132 D shown in  FIG.  5    and the second bag  132 E shown in  FIG.  6    can be manufactured to have additional sidewalls, unitary with their first and second sidewalls, so that the bags  132 D and  132 E are made according to a well known or “common”) design. 
     A bag of such design (described as follows) comprises a first sidewall and a second sidewall spaced from the first sidewall. The bag includes an interior region between the first and second sidewalls. The bag also includes a third sidewall joined, preferably in a unitary manner, to each one of the first and second sidewalls. The bag further includes a fourth sidewall spaced from the third sidewall. The fourth sidewall is also joined, preferably in a unitary manner, to each one of the first and second sidewalls. The third sidewall includes spaced-apart edge margins along which each one of the first and second sidewalls is joined, preferably in a fluid-tight manner. The fourth sidewall also includes spaced-apart edge margins along which each one of the first and second sidewalls is joined, preferably in a fluid-tight manner. The bag has a bottom wall (or simply a “bottom”) joined to each of the first, second, third, and fourth sidewalls, preferably in a fluid-tight manner. 
     In accordance with the present subject matter, four-walled embodiments are dimensioned, for purposes of enabling still other first bag embodiments (of a two-bag system), such as the dipped nail-catching and nail-capturing bag  104 E ( FIG.  6   ), to conveniently fit within the four-wall second bag  132 E. In addition, first bag embodiments can also be manufactured to have similar additional sidewalls, unitary with their first and second sidewalls, to provide extra volume (or “space”) for humans or pets requiring extra volume, whenever such extra “space” is desired. 
     Further in accordance with the present subject matter, still other second bag embodiments of the present subject matter, such as the second bag  132 D shown in  FIG.  5    can include sidewall regions  136 D where indicia (e.g., advertising tag lines, trademarks, and such) can appear on an interior surface or on an exterior surface, to inform a user of the source of second bags, when it is time to buy more. 
     Also, the dipped nail-catching and nail-capturing bags of the present subject matter can be manufactured to have an assortment of shapes and sizes including but not limited to clamshell-shaped bags  104 A and  104 B shown in  FIGS.  1 - 3    as well as the square-shaped and/or rectangular-shaped bag  104 C that is shown in  FIG.  4   . 
     Furthermore, still other second bag embodiments, such as the second bag  132 F shown in  FIG.  7   , can be dimensioned for purposes of containing a plurality of the dipped nail-catching and nail-capturing bags of the present subject matter (not shown), all conveniently contained within the second bag  132 F, which will be appreciated by professionals scheduled to service clients having nail clipping needs. 
     Referring next to  FIG.  8   , yet another compatible nail clipper  102 C shall now briefly be described. The nail clipper  102 C includes an elongated first or upper spring member  106 C terminating in an upper or first cutting edge  108 C. The nail clipper  102 C further includes a spring-biased (i.e., opposed) second or lower spring member HOC terminating in a lower or second cutting edge  112 C. The nail clipper  102 C further includes a pin  114 C, located close to the first and second cutting edges  108 C and  112 C. The nail clipper  102 C also includes a cam lever  116 C, pivotally secured to the pin  114 C, for enabling a person to depress the lever  116 C and cause the first and second cutting edges  108 C and  112 C to clip nails. The nail clipper  102 C is used in combination with yet another embodiment of a first or inner bag  104 G which includes a first aperture or opening  124 G sized for inserting one finger, several fingers, or a portion of a human palm into the bag  104 G which includes a second aperture or opening  126 G configured to allow the operative end portions of the first and second spring members  106 C and  110 C of clipper  102 C to extend outwardly. The bag  104 G also includes a third orifice or opening  128 G configured to allow the cam lever  116 C of the nail clipper  102 C to also extend outwardly, when the first and second cutting edges  108 C and  112 C are within the interior region. The embodiment shown in  FIG.  8    is a five-sided bag  104 G, also made of clear plastic. 
     Briefly referring to  FIG.  9   , another compatible nail clipper  102 D includes an elongated first or upper spring member  106 D terminating in an upper or first cutting edge  108 D. Nail clipper  102 D also includes a spring-biased second or lower spring member  110 D terminating in a lower or second cutting edge  112 D. Nail clipper  104 D further includes a cam lever  116 D, for enabling a person to depress lever  116 D toward the upper spring member  106 D, for causing the first and second cutting edges  108 D,  112 D to clip nails. The nail clipper  102 D is used in combination with yet another embodiment of a first or inner bag  104 H which also includes a first aperture or opening  124 H sized for inserting one of more fingers, or a portion of a palm of a child, into bag  104 H which also has a second aperture or opening  126 H configured to allow operative end portions of the first and second spring members  106 D,  110 D of clipper  102 D to extend outwardly. The bag  104 H also includes a third orifice or opening  128 H configured to allow the cam lever  116 D of the clipper  102 D to extend outwardly, when the cutting edges  108 D,  112 D are within the interior region. The embodiment that is shown in  FIG.  9    further includes a nail file  140 —which is a small file used, e.g., for trimming fingernails or for smoothing rough fingernail edges. This embodiment of the bag  104 H includes a fourth aperture, orifice, or opening  141  through a sidewall, for enabling the nail file  140  to be partially inserted into the interior of bag  104 H, to enable nail hygiene procedures. 
       FIG.  10    presents yet another embodiment of the present subject matter, namely, an enclosure  204 E, preferably made of clear plastic and resembling a shirt or blouse sleeve, or a pant leg. The enclosure  204 E is used in combination with a nail clipper  102 E or nail hygienic tool (not shown) in accordance with the present subject matter. The enclosure  204 E includes a first opening or aperture  124 E, and an elastic band  130 E secured to the perimeter of the first opening or aperture  124 E. The elastic band  130 E is shaped and dimensioned to snugly encircle one of more fingers, or a portion of the palm of a child, or an animal paw inserted via the first orifice or opening  124 E into the interior region of enclosure  204 E for nail clipping purposes, so that substantially all nail clippings remain within the enclosure  204 E. 
       FIG.  11    presents a variety of plastic bags and enclosures, some of which are shown with nail clippers, in accordance with the present subject matter. For instance, the illustrated first or inner bags  104 J and  104 K are each shown with an associated nail clipper  102 J and  102 K. As noted, bags and enclosures of the present subject matter are sized for an assortment of nail-cutting requirements. For instance, enclosure  204 F is sized larger, and enclosures  204 G and  204 H are smaller. 
     Enclosures of the present subject matter can be sized to resemble a trouser leg, enabling a person to insert a leg through a first opening, so that the toenails of such person can be trimmed by another, using the nail clipper end portions that extend through at least one other opening of the enclosure. The enclosures of the present subject matter can also be sized to resemble a blouse or shirt sleeve. Elastic secured to the first opening would be sized to closely seal around a palm, forearm, or upper arm of a person, to retain substantially all nail clippings produced. Such enclosures, of various colors, can be made of a plastic material or a rigid material. 
     The title “hands to feet/paws to claws” involves a hygienic nail care program for fingers and toes of humans and claws of animals such as pets. Such a program utilizes a bag or enclosure, preferably (but not necessarily) transparent, having openings for human fingers and/or toes, or for paws of animals such as pets. Also, the bags and/or enclosures are made to hold nail dippers and trimmers in place while another person performs the task of dipping the nails of a person, finger by finger, with the bag or enclosure retaining substantially all such clippings produced. 
     Described and illustrated in this patent application is a dipped nail-catching and nail-capturing system consisting essentially of a nail dipper in combination with either a bag or an enclosure, each of which is preferably transparent, of special design for hygienic and convenient catching and capturing of clipped fingernails and/or toenails of humans and/or claw clippings of animals especially pets. While the present subject matter has been illustrated and described with reference to exemplary embodiments, the present subject matter is not to be limited to these examples and/or embodiments. On the contrary, many alternatives, changes, and/or modifications will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the field of the present subject matter after this document is read. As a result, all such alternatives, changes, and/or modifications are to be treated as part of the present subject matter insofar as they fall within the spirit and scope of claims that follow.