HK1069743A - Ear piercing systems with hinged hoop earrings - Google Patents

Description

Ear piercing system with hinged hoop earrings

The applicant is: fradiamide rice, filed as: 2001, month 10, day 16, application numbers: 01803141.2, the name is: divisional application of the invention of an ear piercing system with hinged hoop earrings.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to ear piercing devices, and more particularly, to an ear piercing cartridge and stud gun system with stackable packages for the cartridge.

Background

Ear-piercing, an increasingly common fashion, is rapidly becoming a routine practice, often by laypersons without medical experience or training. Today there are many hand-operated devices that can be worn on the ear that are safe, hygienic and user friendly. Examples of such devices are disclosed in the following U.S. patents: 5496343 to Reil on 3/5/1996, an application serial number 292249 on 8/18/1994, a patent 5792170 to Reil on 8/11/1998, an application serial number 754411 on 11/21/11/1996, a patent 5868774 to Reil on 2/9/1999 ("the' 774 patent"), and an application serial number 8763 on 1/19/1998. All of these patents are incorporated herein by reference.

The various ear piercing systems that exist today basically include a stud (also referred to as an earring or a pierced earring) with a post (also referred to as a pin or a pierced pin) and a nut (sometimes referred to as a snap ring or earring-type snap ring). These components are mounted on an earring clip. During ear piercing, the ear is placed between the post and the nut and the collet is squeezed manually or by placing the collet in a stud gun. The stud gun causes the post to penetrate the ear and engage the nut.

One of the most desirable earring styles from a fashion standpoint is the hoop shape, but hoop earrings have not been commonly used in ear-piercing systems to date. Generally, the stub shaft designs used today are symmetrical around the strut. An original hoop earring ear piercing system is disclosed in U.S. patent No. 5004471 ("the' 471 patent"), but the disclosed design is not a completely closeable hoop and is therefore unsightly. The stud post (or a perforated pin) engages the nut (or snap ring) causing the hoop to open. This is because the stud post is rigidly connected to the hoop of the stud, which means that the hoop cannot rotate into engagement with the piercing pin. In addition, the open end of the ferrule is not adapted to engage a piercing pin (or stub). In addition to an unfavorable appearance, the design described in the' 471 patent also risks scratching and injury to the wearer due to the open end of the hoop. There is therefore a need for a fully closable hoop earring.

In addition, the existing styles of earring nuts (or clasps) are such that: after the stud post is engaged with the nut, the open end of the stud post extends beyond the nut. Because the open end of the stud post may scratch the neck of the wearer behind the ear, there is a potential for injury to the wearer of the earring. There is a need for an improved earring nut to eliminate the possibility of injury.

Existing ear piercing chucks also have a number of disadvantages. To illustrate these shortcomings, consider the' 774 patent, which represents modern technology in the ear-piercing design. The ear piercing device described in the' 774 patent consists of an earring cartridge that holds an earring stud and an earring nut in two opposing jaws, namely, an earring jaw and a nut jaw. The stud is retained within a stud post holder assembly (also referred to as an "ear-piercing earring cartridge" in Reil' 774), which is an assembly that can be disassembled into two pieces. One of these two parts has a frangible and breakable tab at the rear.

Although the' 774 patent describes a simple and easy to use ear piercing system, it sometimes requires manual removal from the earring because the two pieces of the stud post holder assembly may remain attached to the stud when it is used to pierce the ear. Even if the two parts are moved away from the stub axle, they may fall out of the assembly, sometimes into the ear or onto the body of the person wearing the ear, and possibly also onto the floor.

In addition, the' 774 patent has design limitations by relying on frangible tabs. First, the tabs break off, which can produce undesirable noise, which is often painful or worried by the customer; second, the use of frangible tabs only allows discrete control of the ear piercing process. In the invention of the' 774 patent, the presence of the frangible tab when the earring assembly is squeezed, whether by holding the earring assembly in the hand or mounted on an ear-piercing gun, indicates that the ear is automatically pierced upon squeezing the earring assembly to the tab break point. This can prevent continuous control of the precise location and timing of the ear-piercing process. Because the location and timing of the ear piercing process cannot be continuously controlled, the technician performing the ear piercing must guesswork to align the stud post with the desired area to be pierced. This sometimes leaves the technician without hitting the exact location where he wants to punch the hole.

In addition, the ear piercing system of the' 774 patent and systems developed earlier cannot be used with the novel hinged hoop earrings described above.

Finally, the' 774 patent discloses a sterilizable blister package for storing and transporting earring cartridges. While this package is a convenient and effective sterilization package for the cartridge, it does not provide rigid vertical stacking for storage of the earring cartridges.

Disclosure of Invention

To address the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides quantitative improvements in the design and operation of an ear-piercing system. The present invention provides an improved hoop-style ear-piercing earring design that is fully closeable and hinged so that the hoop is free to rotate. In addition, the present invention provides a smart earring cartridge system that can be used with the hinged hoop earring of the present invention as well as a conventional symmetrical earring and that can completely release the cartridge assembly from the stud and nut immediately after piercing the ear. In addition, the earring cartridge of the present invention allows a technician to exercise continuous control over the ear-piercing process, allowing him to align the stud post and the location to be pierced with the piercing point. This can greatly improve the accuracy of the ear piercing process compared to the prior art. The present invention also provides an improved earring nut for use with conventional pierced-ear earrings. The nut includes a flat flap that spaces the open end of the stud post from the body of the earring wearer. The improved nut design ensures proper spacing between the stub shaft and the nut, preventing the nut from traveling too far in the direction of the stud post and squeezing the perforated area, which would interfere with healing.

In one general embodiment, the present invention provides an earring cartridge and stud gun system for sterile ear piercing, the system comprising: the earring cartridge has a stud post that is disposed in a stud post holder assembly; there is also a nut spaced from the stud post, positioned in an opposite direction thereto, and slidably aligned with the stud post. When perforating, the ear is placed between the support rod and the nut. Wherein when the earring cartridge is compressed to force the stud toward the nut so that the post engages the nut, a torque-like force is generated on the stud post holder assembly, causing the assembly to rotate open. The rotation of the stud post holder assembly opens to facilitate disengagement of the assembly from the earring stud after the stud is coupled to the nut and without the need to touch the customer's ear to confirm the stud is coupled to the nut or remove the assembly after ear piercing is complete.

In a preferred embodiment, the earring cartridge includes nut jaws for gripping a nut and earring jaws that grip a stud post holder assembly. The assembly is made in two halves, each half having a stub head front end adapter, a body and an L-shaped termination having a bottom surface and legs. The terminal member moves in the medial channel of the earring jaw, and the body of the stud post holder assembly moves relative to the flexible tang into engagement with the tang when the earring cartridge is squeezed; while the bottom surface of the terminal member slides over the raised portion juxtaposed with the tang.

The present invention also provides a method of conveniently and hygienically transporting and storing the cartridge in a stackable packaging form. The package has a reliable seal that maintains the cartridge in a sterile environment.

If the invention is used with a stud gun, the earring cartridge is placed in the cradle of the gun when the cartridge is installed. The tray receives the earring cartridge and removes the cartridge from the stackable packing box with the stud aligned with the nut assembly for ear piercing. The sterile earring cartridge does not require direct contact by the operator's hand during ear piercing. After ear piercing is complete, the cartridge can be removed from the stud gun using the stackable packing box. Thus, the package may allow an operator to load and unload the cartridge from the stud gun without touching the cartridge.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a freely rotatable, closeable hinged hoop earring ear piercing system.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a more efficient ear piercing device. In particular, the present invention is directed to an ear piercing system wherein the stud clip assembly is completely separated from the stud after ear piercing. In addition, the present invention also provides a system in which the components of the stud holder assembly remain in the earring cartridge after the ear is pierced. This eliminates the parts of the assembly falling into the ear, body or floor of the person being pierced, who must be forced to find them at the ear-piercing station.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a device that can be better controlled and more proficient to operate without the need for highly trained personnel to achieve greater ear penetration accuracy. In particular, the present invention is directed to an ear piercing system that is finely controllable by the wearer so that the wearer does not erroneously pierce the ear until the wearer confirms the precise location at which he wants to pierce.

In addition, the present invention provides a safety earring nut for use with a conventional form of ear piercing earring to protect the wearer from being scratched by the open end of the stud post.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method of piercing the ear that forms, protects and preserves a sterile ear piercing instrument prior to the actual piercing. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a sterilizable and sterile device with which disposable ear piercing tips can be transported and stored in a sterile condition before they are ready for use. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a stackable packaging box that is sterilizable and sterilizable to facilitate engagement and disengagement of the earring cartridge from the stud gun and to prevent reuse of the earring cartridge to ensure that the cartridge cannot be reused.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a hand-held stud gun which can engage the earring cartridge of the present invention during ear piercing to better control the cartridge.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

FIG. 1 illustrates four views of a hinged hoop earring, wherein FIG. 1A illustrates a view of the hinged hoop earring in an open position, FIG. 1B illustrates a view of the hinged hoop earring in a closed position, FIG. 1C illustrates a side view of the earring shown in FIG. 1B, and FIG. 1D illustrates a side view of the earring shown in FIG. 1A;

FIGS. 2A and 2B show two front views of the safety collar of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the ear piercing system of the present invention;

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional side view of the piercing clip;

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional side view of the nut jaws;

FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional side view of an earring jaw with a stud post holder assembly;

FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional elevation view of an earring jaw and stud post holder assembly;

FIG. 6A shows a top view of the earring cartridge when the stub shaft is driven toward the clutch; FIG. 6B shows a top view of the earring cartridge with the stub shaft engaged with the clutch; FIG. 6C shows a top view of a sequentially acting earring cartridge with the stud post holder assembly open and the stud loosened;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of the short axis gun;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a stud gun incorporating an earring cartridge;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional side view of an earring cartridge in a stackable package;

FIGS. 10A and 10B are plan and elevation views of a lid of a packing box;

FIGS. 11A and 11B are plan and elevation views of the bottom of the package;

figures 12A and 12B illustrate two aligned positions of a hinged hoop earring.

Detailed Description

Generally, the drawings illustrate the structure and operation of the ear piercing system of the present invention. Referring to fig. 1A, the hinged hoop earring of the present invention is comprised of a stud hoop 3 having a first terminal end 6A and a second terminal end 6B. The hinged hoop earring further comprises: a stud post 1 having a first tip 9 and a second end 8 surrounding a bore 5, a hinge 4 connected to a first terminal end 6A of a stud hoop 3, and a pawl 2 coupled to a second terminal end 6B of the stud hoop 3. As shown in fig. 1C, the jaw 2 is a U-shaped piece that can receive the stud post 1. When the stud post is pushed into the jaw 2, the post is pressed into place. The distance between the two arms of the pawl 2 is less than the diameter of the stud post 1 but when the stud post 1 is pushed through the two arms, the two arms flex so that the stud post 1 can be pressed tightly in its rest position. The hinged hoop earring in the open position is shown in figure 1A, and the earring in the closed position is shown in figure 1B. To go from the open position to the closed position, the catch 2 and the stud post 1 are rotated relative to each other about the hinge 4 until the stud post 1 is pressed tightly into the catch 2. Fig. 2 further shows the detailed structure of the hinge 4. Referring to fig. 1D, the hinge 4 is formed by two substantially flat vertical members 10. The second end 8 of the stud strut 1 is hinged by a pivot pin 7 between vertical members 10. The pivot pin passes through the hole 5 in the stud post 1 and is fixed to each end of two vertical members 10 so that the stud post 1 and stud hoop 3 can rotate freely about the axis of the pivot pin 7.

Referring to fig. 2, the earring nut (or clasp) of the present invention includes a front plate 11 having a bore sized to receive the stud post 1; a baffle 13 is also included that aligns with the holes in the front end flat plate. In this way, the baffle 13 forms a centering surface between the open end 9 of the stud post 1 and the earring wearer. The shield 13 also prevents the nut from sliding along the stud post towards the ear, thereby maintaining a sufficient distance between the nut and the ear to promote healing. The earring nut may be used with conventional ear-piercing earrings.

Referring to fig. 3-8, the earring-cartridge and stud gun system of the present invention is comprised of an earring-cartridge stud gun 12 and an earring cartridge 14 preferably adapted to be mounted on the cradle of stud gun 12. Figure 4A shows a vertical cross-section through earring cartridge 14 fitted with stub shaft P and nut N. When used with a conventional style ear-piercing earring, nut N is typically a decorative metal piece. In this case, the nut is typically left on the stud post after the ear piercing process is complete. However, when used with a hinged hoop earring, the nut N is typically a disposable nut made of a plastic material or the like. After piercing the person's ear with the hinged hoop earring, the stud hoop rotates around the ear and the stud post is compressed into the jaw. The disposable nut is then removed from the stud post.

Initially, stud P is installed in stud post holder assembly 116, which is in turn installed in earring cartridge 14. Earring cartridge 14 is mounted within cradle 74 of earring-cartridge stud gun 12 so that the entire hand of a person, not just the fingers, can be used to grasp and control the pierced-ear earring prior to and during the ear-piercing procedure. There are also a plurality of ribs 180, 181 on the outer surface of the collet so that the collet itself, without the stud gun, can be used to pierce the ear if desired.

As shown in fig. 4A, earring-cartridge 14 comprises: a stud post holder assembly 116 for holding a stud P, an earring jaw 112 movably mounting stud post holder assembly 116, and a nut jaw 114 opposite stud P for holding nut N in alignment. Nut jaw 114 has nut jaw extension 154 for slidably engaging nut jaw 114 with earring jaw 112. Also shown in FIGS. 4B and 5 are two slidably connected portions of earring cartridge 14, namely nut jaw 114 and earring jaw 112, respectively. Nut jaw extension 154 and stud post holder assembly 116 interact to create a torque-like force on stud post assembly 116 that causes the assembly to rotationally open after earring cartridge 14 is compressed bringing earring jaw 112 toward nut jaw 114, engaging post P with nut N.

Referring to FIGS. 5-6, the stud post holder assembly 116 holding the stud is formed in two halves 113, 115; each half comprises: bodies 121, 123; stub head front end adapters 117, 119 fixed to the front end of the body; and L-shaped terminations with legs 125,127 fixed to the rear ends of the bodies 121,123 and bottom surfaces 204,205. In one embodiment, the stub shaft head forward end adapters 117, 119 have a recess that receives the stub shaft head; or in another embodiment, a hinge that houses a hinged hoop earring.

The stud post holder assembly 116 may be adapted to receive a hinged hoop earring by providing a through-hole in the stud post assembly 116 that is sized to hold a hinged hoop earring stud (not shown). In one embodiment, when a stud post holder assembly with a hinged hoop earring is used, the assembly may not include a stud head front end adapter. In a preferred embodiment, when the stud head adaptor is included for use with a hinged hoop earring, the adaptor is recessed to accommodate the hinge of the hinged hoop earring. In addition, the earring jaw may not have a radial cavity on its top surface so that a stud post holder assembly with hinged hoop may be placed into the cavity. There is sufficient space within the stud post holder assembly to place a hinged hoop earring, bending the hoop away from the stud (figure 12B), or in an alternative configuration, toward the stud (figure 12A).

As shown in fig. 5 and 6, stud post holder assembly 116 fits within top channel 201 of earring jaw 112. The housing of each half of stud post holder assembly 116 fits within the top groove so that stud post holder assembly 116 can slide in and out of earring jaw 112. Bottom groove 120 in earring jaw 112 is slidably engageable with nut jaw extension 154 (see fig. 5B). Bottom channel 120 with bottom edge 152 may serve as a guide and alignment means for nut jaw extension 154.

Earring jaw 112 further includes a nut jaw retention system comprising: bottom edge 152 of earring jaw 112, which is adjacent to the bottom channel, defines an opening 155 between the interior and exterior of earring jaw 112. Opening 155 is parallel to the length of the bottom edge and extends from the rear of earring jaw 112 to a point just past the midpoint between the rear and front of earring jaw 112 and receives an elongated tongue 168 with a hook attached to nut jaw 114. When the tongue 168 enters the opening 155, the hook can move along the opening 155 and its front end can be caught just past the midpoint.

Earring jaw 112 also includes a biasing mechanism that engages earring jaw 112 with nut jaw 114, which urges earring jaw 112 away from nut jaw 114. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5A, the mechanism includes a spring strut 140 coupled to the center of the back wall inside the undercut and extending into the undercut parallel to the bottom edge, approximately 1/4 the distance between the back and front of earring jaw 112. A spring is placed around the spring strut 140.

In addition, earring jaw 112 includes a plurality of ribs 180 on the outer surface of earring jaw 112, generally disposed opposite the undercut. Rib 180 forms a means by which the outer surface of earring jaw 112 can be securely manually engaged.

Nut jaw 114 optionally includes: a nut holding device for holding a nut, the nut holding device being adapted to the earring support bar and aligned with the earring support bar; extension means for extending the nut holding means from earring jaw 112, and sliding engagement means in sliding engagement with earring jaw 112, the sliding engagement means being connected to the extension means. In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4B, the nut holding means further comprises a nut seat 191 and support means 199 supporting the nut seat and spaced a distance from the extension means 154. In addition, the nut seat 191 defines first and second nut grooves therein, in which the earring nut N can be fitted. The first nut groove 192 is perpendicular to the second nut groove 193 and projects upwardly from the bottom of the first groove of the block of the nut holder 191 with a finger 190 that is slightly compressible into engagement with the nuts received in the first and second nut grooves, whereby the finger 190 allows the nuts to be securely held in place in the first and second grooves of the block of the nut holder and to be easily disengaged from the block of the nut holder.

The support means 199 for supporting the nut holder may also include an upstanding portion 194 which spaces the nut holder block from the extension 154 so that a space is formed between the upstanding portion, the extension and the earring jaw 112 to provide room for ear insertion. The width of the upstanding portion is approximately the same as the width of earring jaw 112 to form a means by which nut jaw 114 can be manually engaged.

As with earring jaw 112, on the outer surface of upstanding portion 194, opposite the void, are a plurality of ribs 181. These ribs form means for securely manually engaging the outer surface of nut jaw 114.

The extension portion includes a base portion coupled with the nut holding device. The width of the base portion is approximately the same as the width of earring jaw 112 to provide a means for securely supporting the nut holding means and a means for engaging nut jaw 114 with earring jaw 112 to thereby prevent further sliding of nut jaw 114 into earring jaw 112. In addition, a neck portion is coupled to the base portion, and has a width substantially the same as the width of the bottom groove 120, so that the neck portion can be slid into the bottom groove 120. The extension may also include a tab portion 168 that extends from the neck and terminates in a hook. Tongue portion 168 descends from the neck at an angle such that the hook may engage the terminal end of opening 155 in the bottom edge of earring jaw 112.

In one embodiment, the sliding engagement means comprises an elongate portion which slidably engages with the interior of the bottom channel. The elongated portion may define a hole formed by first and second nut jaw extensions 169, 170, with first nut jaw extension 169 forming an upper portion of the hole and second nut jaw extension 170 forming a lower portion of the hole. First and second nut jaw extensions 169, 170 have oppositely opposed bends for retaining the biasing means within the apertures and forming respective gaps between first and second nut jaw extensions 169, 170. The biasing means is a spring (not shown).

Referring to fig. 4B, nut jaw 114 also includes a flexible tang 160 and a ridge 161 juxtaposed to flexible tang 160 such that when the rear end of the body of stud post holder assembly 116 is in front of the front end of flexible tang 160, the bottom surfaces 204, 205 of the terminal members are forced over ridge 161. The rear end of the main body of the stub shaft strut housing assembly is the end to which the termination member is secured. The front end of the tang is the end of the tang that is closest to the nut jaw in the assembled state of the earring cartridge.

In one embodiment, the length of flexible tang 160 is shorter than the length of legs 125, 127 of the terminal members described above. Additionally, in a preferred embodiment, flexible tang 160 and ridge 161 are molded together. Ridges 161 may also be attached to the upper surface of nut jaw extension 169. It can also be seen in FIG. 4B that the flexible tang 160 of the present invention is flared upward at the top to engage the tang with the underside of the post holder assembly 116 when the stud post holder assembly 116 is pushed like a spring. Engagement of tang 160 with stud post holder assembly 116 causes relative movement between assembly 116 and the earring jaw, allowing body portions 121,123 (fig. 6B) of the assembly to slide out of the earring jaw after piercing the ear. Because the two halves of the assembly are constrained together to hold the stud in place before the body portion of the assembly is moved out of the earring jaw, once the assembly 116 moves past the tang 160, the assembly 116 opens. Even in the absence of tang 160, the engagement of nut N with stud P produces relative movement between assembly 116 and the earring jaw, causing body portions 121, 123 (fig. 6B) of the assembly to slide out of the earring jaw after the ear is pierced and the nut engages the stud.

Referring to fig. 5A and 5B, earring jaw 112 further includes two intermediate channels 208 for receiving legs 125, 127 of the terminal members of each half of stud post holder assembly 116. Thus, as stud post holder assembly 116 slides in and out of earring jaw 112, the leg can slide in the medial groove 208.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a peg and hole alignment system for the two halves of the stud post holder assembly 116 that includes a peg protruding from the outer surface of one housing and another housing having a cavity sized to receive the peg. Thus, when the two halves of stud post holder assembly 116 are aligned and assembled together, the peg is inserted into the cavity.

Referring to fig. 6A through 6C, the operation of the earring cartridge can be understood. Normally, earring cartridge springs or other biasing means force the nut jaw and earring jaw away as far as the bottom groove and collar tongue permit. A void is formed between the nut jaw and the earring jaw for insertion into an ear to be pierced. When an ear is placed between the nut jaw and the earring jaw, and after it has to be placed between earring stud or post P and earring helix N, earring cartridge 14 can be compressed manually or, for example, by squeezing an earring cartridge stud gun within which the earring cartridge is placed, as described below. Compression of earring cartridge 14 causes the bottom surface of L-shaped terminal member 203 to seat on the raised portion, exerting a torque-like force on the two halves of stud post holder assembly 116.

At this point, if the wearer is satisfied and ready to pierce the ear, he squeezes earring cartridge 14 (or the stud gun) tightly, moving the flexible tang past the back of assembly 116, leaving the flexible tang free to lift up above the plane of the bottom of the stud post holder assembly. This drives earring stud or post P through the ear and into the flanged hole and through the earring nut. Thus, the elongated portion of the nut jaw compresses the earring cartridge spring and moves to the rear of the earring jaw.

During operation, stud post holder assembly 116 remains in place while the flexible tang (moving with the elongated nut jaw portion) moves along the bottom of stud post holder assembly 116 until the back end of stud post holder assembly 116 is eventually reached.

When earring cartridge 14 is fully compressed, the ear has been pierced and earring post P has engaged nut N. Hand pressure is then released against earring cartridge 14 (or against earring cartridge stud gun), ear-piercing earring cartridge halves 113 and 115 open, away from earring E, and earring nut N disengages nut jaw 114, at which point the ear has been pierced. The earring-cartridge stud gun with earring cartridge 14 can then be removed from the area near the pierced ear. Because the terminal portions 125 and 127 remain as shown in FIG. 6C, the two halves 113 and 115 of the stub shaft receptacle do not fall off, thereby preventing reloading of the cartridge and compromising sterility. Namely: the right angle projections on the ends of the terminal portions 125 and 127 capture the cartridge halves 113 and 115, preventing the stud from being re-installed and preventing reuse of the earring cartridge.

Earring cartridge stud gun 12 is shown in figures 7 through 8 and is fully described in U.S. patent No. 5868774, which is incorporated herein for completeness. Figures 7 and 8 show two interfitting parts that make up earring-cartridge stud gun 12, namely: a handle 20 and a plunger 22. The plunger 22 is mounted within the handle 20 and is slidable through the handle a short distance, that is, the distance necessary to pierce the ear with the short shaft portion of the ear piercing earring. This travel distance is approximately one-half inch and the plunger 22 can be easily controlled by the operator's hand. The length of the bayonet handle assembly, taken along line 5-5 shown in fig. 8, is approximately two and one-half inches.

As shown in FIG. 7, the plunger 22 is biased away from the handle 20 by a biasing means, such as a spring 24. Oppositely disposed stud gun spring struts 26a, 26b hold the spring 24 between the handle 20 and the plunger 22 in a normal opposed position. The plunger 22 is grasped by the handle 20, as will be described in more detail below.

The plunger 22 may be hollow for cost savings, weight savings, and easier manufacturing. Inside the plunger 22 within the handle 20, a lower stop 28 and an upper stop 30 serve to limit the forward travel of the plunger 22 into the interior of the handle 20. The distance between the contact surfaces of the stops 28, 30 and the handle 20 is approximately one-half inch. The stops 28, 30 may be made of the same material as the plunger 22 and may be molded as one piece with the plunger 22.

Upper stop 30 is L-shaped (in cross-section) to receive a moving portion 40 on a cradle 74 on earring cartridge stud gun 12 of earring cartridge 14. The traveling portion 40 has a depending projection 42 that fits within a notch 44 between the upper stop 30 and the plunger 22. Tongue 46 projects laterally forwardly away from plunger 22 for use as an additional travel limit stop. Cradle stop 48 serves to provide a retaining support and to abut the back of earring cartridge 14 after the back of earring cartridge 14 is installed into earring cartridge stud gun 12, and more specifically into cradle 74.

The moving portion 40 is molded as one piece with the plunger 22 or may be welded as one piece with the plunger 22. The moving portion 40 is movable with the plunger 22 as it is connected to the upper stopper 30 by the overhang portion 42. The moving portion 40, along with the plunger 22, can slide along any surface of the handle 20 that it contacts (other than snugly).

The grip portion 20 has a curved front surface 60 that is engageable by a finger. Together with the rear curved surface 62 of plunger 22, a portion of earring-cartridge stud gun 12 is comfortable to hold in a human hand due to the two complementary curved surfaces 60, 62. The handle portion 20 has a height of about 2 inches and an overall width of about 3 inches and has an upper slot 64 in which the pallet stop 48 can move. The abutment or end wall 66 of the slot 64 of the handle portion 20 serves to prevent rearward movement of the pallet stop 48 beyond that wall. Although biasing mechanism 24 normally urges plunger 22 away from handle 20, blade stop 38 abuts end wall 66 to slidably engage plunger 22 with handle 20.

A tray extension 70 projects forwardly from the top of handle 20 and terminates in a tray positive stop 72. The area between cradle positive stop 72 and cradle negative stop 48 forms a cradle 74 into which earring cartridge 14 may be loaded and telescopically compressed during ear piercing. The tab slots 80 are provided below the upper surface 76 and above the lower surface 78 of the pallet extension 70. Tongue groove 80 provides a space for tongue 46 to move forward. Because tab 46 is held between upper surface 76 and lower surface 78 of tray extension 70, the stability and alignment of the ear-piercing process is high as tray 74 maintains its relative geometry and shape during the ear-piercing process.

To provide additional support for pallet extension 70, an integrally molded pallet extension support 90 projects forwardly from tongue groove 80 and terminates below positive stop 72. The pallet extension support 90 provides additional support for the pallet extension 70.

Within cradle 74 are additional means for holding earring cartridge 14 and for holding the cartridge in place. Two side supports 100a, 100b adjacent to the positive stop 72 are oppositely disposed on either side of the platform 74. Cradle side supports 100a, 100b project upwardly approximately one-eighth of an inch for additional lateral securing and positioning of earring cartridge 14. The interior of backstop 48 and positive backstop 72 may have indentations or protuberances with which ribs 180, 181 on earring cartridge 14 may engage. In one embodiment, a small projection or pin (not shown) extends upwardly from upper surface 76 of blade extension 70 adjacent front stop 72 to frictionally engage the front end of earring cartridge 14. Backstop 48 and positive backstop 72 may have side flange projections 82 to better engage earring cartridge 14 and secure earring cartridge 14 to cradle 74.

Earring-cartridge and earring-cartridge stud guns may be made of lightweight, yet durable plastics that are easily shaped for use as described above. In a preferred embodiment, the stud gun and/or the collet may be made of one or more plastics including (but not limited to) the following materials: polyester, polycarbonate, paper, foil, polyimide, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, and Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) polymer. Alternatively, the stud gun and/or the cartridge are made of a non-plastic material, such as metal or paper.

Referring to FIG. 9, earring cartridge 14 with earring stud P and nut N is contained within stackable box 16. Earring cartridge case 16 is a sealable container in which earring cartridge 14 and the pierced earrings (N and P) can be shipped and stored until ready for use. Case 16 allows and maintains the sterility of earring-cartridge 14 and the pierced-ear earrings (N and P).

As shown in FIG. 9, earring-cartridge box 16 is configured to conform to the top of earring-cartridge 14. Integral top (conforming top)300 of case 16 conforms to the top outer surface of earring cartridge 14 to facilitate closure but not compression fit. Inner recesses 301,302 form a clamping means for integral top 300 to internally clamp earring cartridge 14. Because earring cartridge 14 can have a variety of shapes, including shapes that accommodate hinged hoops, integral top 300 of case 16 can have the same variety of shapes in order to accommodate earring cartridge 14.

A plan view and a front view of the integrated top 300 are shown in fig. 10A and 10B, respectively. The package is designed so that the tray of the earring cartridge stud gun fits into the case 16 via flange 304. This allows the earring-cartridge stud gun to be engaged with earring cartridge 14 and removed from cartridge 16. Such a device would maintain the sterile nature of earring-cartridge 14 and the pierced-ear earrings (N and P) after the seal on earring-cartridge box 16 is broken. Additionally, after ear ring cartridge 14 is installed on ear ring cartridge 14 and ear ring cartridge 14 is removed from the cradle of the ear ring cartridge stud gun, the ear ring cartridge 14 is reinserted into case 16 after the ear piercing process is completed.

Earring cartridge 14 with pierced earrings (N and P) is installed in stud post holder assembly 116 during manufacture and prior to dispensing. The earring cartridge is then installed in the integral top 300 of the earring cartridge case 16. The bottom of earring cartridge 14 is above flange 304 and within the confines of case 16. A sterilizing gas or the like may be introduced into earring cartridge 16 to sterilize the entire contents and any exposed surfaces, including earring cartridge 14 and ear-piercing earring E. A medical grade Tyvak paper pad or the like (not shown) may be adhesively or sealingly secured over the flange 304. If desired, a sterilizing gas may be collected within earring-cartridge box 16 to preserve and maintain the previously established sterile environment. Obviously, other sterilization methods may be employed.

The bottom of the cartridge 16 is sealed by a lid 310. A plan view and a front view of the cover are shown in fig. 11A and 11B, respectively. The cover 310 snaps over the flange 304, protecting the paper gasket used to seal the integrated top 300. The lid 310 carries pegs 311 which engage corresponding holes 305 on the integral top of the other package. Thus, the peg and hole arrangement can be used to stack a pack vertically on top of another pack.

Once the cap is pressed tightly against the flange of the top 300 and sealed, the earring cartridge 16 can be shipped and stored until ready for use. In this case, earring-cartridge 14 and the pierced earrings (N and P) can be maintained in sterile conditions until ready for use.

In general, earring-cartridge packaging 16 is made of a clear or otherwise see-through plastic or material to provide easy visual access to earring-cartridge 14 and the pierced-ear earrings (N and P) prior to the ear-piercing procedure. However, the box may also be made of an opaque or translucent material. In a preferred embodiment, the package may be made of one or more plastics including (but not limited to) the following materials: polyester, polycarbonate, paper, foil, polyimide, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, and Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) polymer. Alternatively, the cassette may be made of a non-plastic material, such as metal or paper.

In operation, earring-cartridge box 16, with sterilized earring-cartridge 14, is used in conjunction with an earring-cartridge stud gun as follows. The earring cartridge 16 is opened by tearing the lid 310 open. The paper pad is removed from adhesive attachment to the flange 304. In this manner, the bottom of earring cartridge 14 is exposed and can access the cradle inside earring cartridge case 16. The cradle of the stud gun is then fed into the confines of earring cartridge 16 to engage the bottom of earring cartridge 14. After the blade is securely engaged with earring-cartridge 14, box 16 is removed from the top of earring-cartridge 14. The ear to be pierced can be pierced by placing the ear between the nut jaw and the post P of the earring E. As fully described above, the ear lobe can be pierced by pressing the plunger and handle of the stud gun together, forcing the earring post into earring nut N.

Integral top 300 is then reattached to the used earring cartridge such that earring cartridge 14 fits within top 300 and is removed from tray 74. Thereafter, the cap 310 is snapped on and the top 300 is sealed. With package 16, human hands or other contaminated surfaces need not contact earring cartridge 14 at all before, during, or after the ear-piercing process, as the operator can load and unload the stud gun by grasping the package without touching the cartridge.

Thus, in the present invention, cartridge 14 is designed to serve not only as a container for receiving the pierced-ear earring and earring nut N, but also as a loading tool for a stud gun for mounting the earring cartridge. In addition, cartridges 14 are stored and transported in stackable packages 16. The package can reliably seal the storage cartridge before and after use, and can be conveniently stacked vertically. It can be seen that with the system described, the user is easy to disinfect and easy to handle.

While the invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments, various modifications may be made without departing from the inventive concept as defined by the following claims.

Claims (8)

1. An earring nut, comprising:

a front end plate having a hole, the hole receiving a stub shaft strut; and

a baffle aligned with the aperture such that the baffle forms a centering surface between the open end of the stud post and the earring wearer.

2. The earring nut of claim 1, wherein the barrier is operable to prevent the earring nut from sliding along the stud post toward a pierced ear of the earring wearer.

3. The earring nut of claim 1, wherein the barrier maintains a spacing between the pierced ear of the earring wearer and the earring nut to promote healing of the pierced ear.

4. The earring nut of claim 1, wherein the earring nut is placed in an earring cartridge to fit in a cradle of a stud gun for piercing.

5. The earring nut of claim 4 wherein the earring cartridge comprises nut jaws for holding the earring nut in alignment opposite the stud post for piercing.

6. The earring nut of claim 4 wherein the stud gun can be attached and detached by an operator during the attachment and detachment process without touching the earring cartridge using the package of earring cartridges.

7. The earring nut of claim 4 wherein the earring cartridge with the earring nut is shipped and stored in a package maintained in a sterile environment.

8. The earring nut of claim 4, wherein operation of the stud gun with the earring cartridge produces a puncture closed with the earring nut.