WO2016075690A1 - Thimble for use with flowers - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for wearing over a thumb is provided. The apparatus comprises: (i) a tool selected from the group consisting of: a blade (24), and a flower-stem stripper (30); (ii) a rigid thimble (26) shaped to define a tool-coupling portion (28) at a distal portion of the rigid thimble, the tool-coupling portion being shaped to firmly hold the tool; and (iii) a removable rigid ring (32) shaped to secure the thimble to the thumb by squeezing a proximal portion of the thimble when the thimble is worn over the thumb. Other embodiments are also described.

Description

THIMBLE FOR USE WITH FLOWERS

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority from US provisional patent application 62/077,492 to Yordan, filed November 10, 2014, and entitled "Thimble for use with flowers," which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Applications of the present invention relate in general to the flower industry. In particular, applications of the present invention include apparatus and methods for cutting and/or stripping a stem of a flower. BACKGROUND

Cutting and/or stripping many flower stems over the course of a day is difficult and tiring work, often requires the simultaneous use of both hands, and often leads to undesired consequences such as broken thumbnails.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Applications of the present invention include apparatus for facilitating safe and effective flower-stem cutting and/or flower-stem stripping. The apparatus includes a rigid thimble that is worn over the thumb, a blade and/or a flower-stem stripper being couplable to the distal portion of the thimble. A removable ring, which is typically rigid, is shaped to secure the thimble to the thumb by squeezing a proximal portion of the thimble when the thimble is worn over the thumb. Typically, a wearer of this apparatus may cut and/or strip flower stems comfortably, safely, and with relative ease, often without the need to use both hands simultaneously.

There is therefore provided, in accordance with some applications of the present invention, apparatus for wearing over a thumb, the apparatus including:

a tool selected from the group consisting of: a blade, and a flower-stem stripper; a rigid thimble shaped to define a tool-coupling portion at a distal portion of the rigid thimble, the tool-coupling portion being shaped to firmly hold the tool; and

a removable rigid ring shaped to secure the thimble to the thumb by squeezing a proximal portion of the thimble when the thimble is worn over the thumb. In some applications, a proximal end of the thimble is shaped to define a ridge shaped to inhibit a separation of the thimble and the ring following a placement of the ring over the proximal portion of the thimble.

In some applications, the ring is shaped to define an indentation shaped to receive the ridge.

In some applications, the ring includes:

a first rigid sub-ring; and

a second rigid sub-ring reversibly joined to the first sub-ring.

In some applications, the apparatus further includes a breakable joining element that reversibly joins the first and second sub-rings.

In some applications, the tool includes a blade.

In some applications, a first end of a cutting edge of the blade is distal to a second end of the cutting edge of the blade, when the blade is coupled to the tool-coupling portion. In some applications, a smallest angle of a hypothetical right triangle on the blade, of which triangle the cutting edge is a hypotenuse, is between 10 and 50 degrees.

In some applications, the smallest angle of the hypothetical right triangle is between 20 and 40 degrees.

In some applications, the tool includes a flower-stem stripper. In some applications,

the ring is a first ring having a first set of dimensions, and

the apparatus further comprises one or more other removable rigid rings having respective sets of dimensions that are different from the first set of dimensions, the one or more other rings being shaped to secure the thimble to the thumb by squeezing the proximal portion of the thimble when the thimble is worn over the thumb.

In some applications,

the first ring comprises:

a first arc having a first radius of curvature; and

a second arc having a second radius of curvature that is different from the first radius of curvature, and

each one of the one or more other rings comprises: a first arc having the first radius of curvature; and

a second arc having a radius of curvature that is different from the second radius of curvature.

In some applications,

the first ring has a first radius of curvature, and

each one of the one or more other rings comprises:

a first arc having the first radius of curvature; and

a second arc having a second radius of curvature that is different from the first radius of curvature. some applications, the ring includes

a first arc having a first radius of curvature; and

a second arc having a second radius of curvature that is different from the first radius of curvature.

In some applications, (i) a first plane that is (a) tangent to the distal portion of the thimble at at least two points, and (b) not tangent to the proximal portion of the thimble, and (ii) a second plane that is (a) tangent to the proximal portion of the thimble at at least two points, and (b) not tangent to the distal portion of the thimble, intersect at an angle that is between 110 and 160 degrees.

In some applications, the first plane and second plane intersect at an angle that is between 125 and 145 degrees.

In some applications, a distalmost point of the thimble is distal to a distalmost point of the tool, when the tool is coupled to the tool-coupling portion.

In some applications, the distal portion of the thimble is shaped to define two protrusions that are disposed at respective ends of the tool and extend distally to the tool, when the tool is coupled to the tool-coupling portion.

In some applications, a distal tip of a first one of the protrusions is distal to a distal tip of a second one of the protrusions.

There is further provided, in accordance with some applications of the present invention, a method for placing a rigid thimble on a thumb, the thimble being coupled at a distal end thereof to a tool selected from the group consisting of: a blade, and a flower- stem stripper, the method including: squeezing a proximal portion of the thimble by placing a rigid ring over the thimble; and

placing the thimble on the thumb.

In some applications, the method further includes, following the placing of the thimble on the thumb, using the tool to cut a stem of a flower.

In some applications, the method further includes, following the placing of the thimble on the thumb, using the tool to strip a stem of a flower.

In some applications, placing the ring over the thimble includes inserting a ridge at a proximal end of the thimble into an indentation in the ring. In some applications, the ring is a first sub-ring, and the method further includes, before squeezing the proximal portion of the thimble with the first sub-ring, separating the first sub-ring from a second sub-ring to which the first sub-ring is joined.

In some applications, separating the first sub-ring from the second sub-ring includes breaking a joining element that joins the first and second sub-rings. There is further provided, in accordance with some applications of the present invention, apparatus for wearing over a thumb, the apparatus including:

a tool selected from the group consisting of: a blade, and a flower-stem stripper; and

a rigid thimble comprising a proximal portion thereof and a distal portion thereof, the distal portion of the thimble being shaped to define a tool-coupling portion shaped to firmly hold the tool,

the proximal portion of the thimble being shaped to squeeze the thumb by being placed over the thumb, and

(i) a first plane that is (a) tangent to the distal portion of the thimble at at least two points, and (b) not tangent to the proximal portion of the thimble, and (ii) a second plane that is (a) tangent to the proximal portion of the thimble at at least two points, and (b) not tangent to the distal portion of the thimble, intersecting at an angle that is between 110 and 160 degrees.

In some applications, the first plane and second plane intersect at an angle that is between 125 and 145 degrees. The present invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of applications thereof, taken together with the drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of apparatus for wearing over a thumb, in accordance with some applications of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a schematic illustration of a blade, in accordance with some applications of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a schematic illustration of apparatus for wearing over a thumb, in accordance with some applications of the present invention; Fig. 4 is a schematic illustration of a ring, in accordance with some applications of the present invention;

Fig. 5A is a schematic illustration of rings having different dimensions, in accordance with some applications of the present invention;

Fig. 5B is a schematic illustration of respective cross-sections of rings, in accordance with some applications of the present invention;

Fig. 6 is a schematic illustration of a thimble, in accordance with some applications of the present invention;

Fig. 7 is a schematic illustration of apparatus for wearing over a thumb, in accordance with some applications of the present invention; Fig. 8 is a flow chart depicting a method for using apparatus, in accordance with some applications of the present invention;

Fig. 9 depicts the use of apparatus, in accordance with some applications of the present invention; and

Fig. 10 depicts a coupling of a blade to a thimble, in accordance with some applications of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF APPLICATIONS

Reference is made to Fig. 1, which is a schematic illustration of apparatus 20 for wearing over a thumb, and to Fig. 2, which is a schematic illustration of a blade 24, in accordance with some applications of the present invention. As further described hereinbelow, apparatus 20 is typically used for cutting and/or stripping the stem of a flower.

Apparatus 20 comprises a thimble 26, which is placed over the thumb. Thimble 26 is rigid, i.e., it generally does not deform in response to the usual forces to which it is subjected during normal flower-stem cutting or flower-stem stripping use. At the distal portion of the thimble, the thimble is shaped to define a tool-coupling portion 28, which is shaped to firmly hold a tool 22 such as blade 24 or a flower-stem stripper 30. For example, tool-coupling portion 28 may include an indentation or slot 29 (e.g., shown in Fig. 10) into which tool 22 may be placed. Typically, tool 22 is removable from tool- coupling portion 28, such that, for example, a user of apparatus 20 may alternate between using blade 24 and flower-stem stripper 30.

Typically, apparatus 20 includes a removable ring 32 shaped to secure the thimble to the thumb by squeezing a proximal portion of the thimble when the thimble is worn over the thumb. (In Fig. 1, ring 32 is shown squeezing the proximal portion of the thimble.) Ring 32 is typically, although not necessarily, rigid. In some applications, instead of apparatus 20 including the removable ring, the proximal portion of the thimble is shaped to squeeze the thumb by being placed over the thumb. For example, the proximal portion of the thimble may be shaped to define a non-removable ring section, such that apparatus 20 generally appears as depicted in Fig. 1. In such applications, the proximal portion of the thimble is typically configured to squeeze the thumb without any self-coupling action being performed on the proximal portion, i.e., the proximal portion of the thimble does not include a coupler such as a clasp.

Typically, a first end 34a of a cutting edge 36 of blade 24 is distal to a second end 34b of the cutting edge of the blade, when the blade is coupled to the tool-coupling portion. (The inventor has observed that an angling of the blade in this manner is generally conducive to effective flower-stem cutting.) For example, as shown in Fig. 2, a smallest angle alpha of a hypothetical right triangle on the blade, of which triangle cutting edge 36 is a hypotenuse, may be greater than 10 degrees and/or less than 50 degrees, e.g., between 20 and 40 degrees.

Reference is now made to Fig. 3, which is a schematic illustration of apparatus 20, in accordance with some applications of the present invention. In some applications, a proximal end of thimble 26 is shaped to define a ridge 38 shaped to inhibit a separation of the thimble and ring 32 following a placement of the ring over the proximal portion of the thimble. Typically, the ring is shaped to define an indentation 40 shaped to receive ridge 38. (Indentation 40 faces proximally when the ring is placed on the thimble, such that the ridge can be received by the indentation.)

Reference is now made to Fig. 4, which is a schematic illustration of ring 32, in accordance with some applications of the present invention. In some applications, ring 32 comprises (a) a first sub-ring 42, and (b) a second sub-ring 44 reversibly joined to first sub-ring 42. (Typically, but not necessarily, both the first and second sub-rings are rigid.) For example, the first and second sub-rings may be reversibly joined by a breakable joining element 46. (As shown in Fig. 4, breakable joining element 46 may comprise a plurality of tabs.) The user of ring 32 may decide to break joining element 46 and use only first sub-ring 42, rather than using the entire ring. In some applications, more than two sub-rings may be reversibly joined together, thus providing even more sizing options for the user.

Reference is now made to Fig. 5A, which is a schematic illustration of rings 33a and 33b having different dimensions, and to Fig. 5B, which is a schematic illustration of respective cross-sections of rings 33a and 33b, in accordance with some applications of the present invention. (The cross-sections shown in Fig. 5B do not correspond perfectly to the three-dimensional depictions in Fig. 5A.) First ring 33a comprises (a) a first arc 48 having a first radius of curvature R0, and (b) a second arc 50 having a second radius of curvature Rl that is different from first radius of curvature R0. (The double-sided arrows in Fig. 5B, which depict the radii of curvature, are not necessarily drawn to scale.) Typically, the first (top) arc squeezes the thimble, while the second (bottom) arc passes over the palmar surface of the thumb.

It is noted that the arcs need not have a constant radius of curvature; rather, one or both of the arcs may have a locally-varying radius of curvature, i.e., R0 and/or Rl may be functions of a parameter such as arc-length. (The same applies to arc 52, described immediately hereinbelow.) A non-constant radius of curvature is considered to be "different" from another non-constant radius of curvature if the respective radii are defined by different functions. (A non-constant radius of curvature is by definition "different" from a constant radius of curvature.) It is further noted that the first and second arcs of ring 33 may have the same radius of curvature, e.g., ring 33 may be circular. In some applications, apparatus 20 comprises two or more removable rings (e.g., removable rigid rings) having different respective sets of dimensions, such that the user may select the ring having the set of dimensions that is best suited for his or her thumb. (As described hereinabove, each of the rings is shaped to secure the thimble to the thumb by squeezing the proximal portion of the thimble when the thimble is worn over the thumb.) For example, Fig. 5B shows a second ring 33b, which also comprises first arc 48 having the first radius of curvature, but which also comprises a second arc 52 having a radius of curvature R2 that is different from radius Rl and/or R0. An advantage of having the same first arc in each of the rings is that each of the rings is shaped to squeeze the thimble. An advantage of having different second arcs in the respective rings is that the thimble may be worn securely on different-sized thumbs.

Reference is now made to Fig. 6, which is a schematic illustration of thimble 26, in accordance with some applications of the present invention. Fig. 6 shows thimble 26 from the side, with the distal portion 63 of the thimble facing downward and to the right. (A protrusion 62b at distal portion 63, described hereinbelow with reference to Fig. 7, "blocks the view" of blade 24.)

Thimble 26 is typically shaped to hold the thumb in a typical flower-stem cutting or flower-stem stripping conformation, such as to facilitate effective flower-stem cutting or flower-stem stripping. For example, a first plane 56 that is (a) tangent to the distal portion of the thimble at at least two points, and (b) not tangent to the proximal portion 65 of the thimble, and a second plane 54 that is (a) tangent to proximal portion 65 of the thimble at at least two points, and (b) not tangent to the distal portion of the thimble, may intersect at an angle theta that is at least 110 degrees and/or less than 160 degrees, e.g., between 125 and 145 degrees. (The side view of Fig. 6 dictates that planes 56 and 54 should appear in the figure as two-dimensional lines; however, for clarity, the planes are depicted as having some thickness.) Thus, the top joint of the thumb, which is held by the distal portion of the thimble, is held in an angled position with respect to the bottom joint of the thumb, which is held by the proximal portion of the thimble. (Typically, a distal- end-of-thumb-receiving portion 61 of the thimble receives the distal end of the thumb, thus facilitating the holding of the top joint of the thumb by the distal portion of the thimble.)

Reference is now made to Fig. 7, which is a schematic illustration of apparatus 20, in accordance with some applications of the present invention. Typically, e.g., for safety reasons, a distalmost point 58 of the thimble is distal to a distalmost point 60 of the tool, when the tool is coupled to the tool-coupling portion. For example, the distal portion of the thimble may be shaped to define two protrusions 62a and 62b that are disposed at respective ends of the tool and extend distally to the tool, when the tool is coupled to the tool-coupling portion. Protrusions 62a and 62b help prevent accidental injuries from the apparatus. In some applications, e.g., when one end of the cutting edge of the blade is more distal than the other end (as described hereinabove with reference to Fig. 1 and as shown in Fig. 7), a distal tip 64 of first protrusion 62b is distal to a distal tip 66 of second protrusion 62a. Reference is now made to Fig. 8, which is a flow chart depicting a method for using apparatus 20, and to Fig. 9, which depicts the use of apparatus 20, in accordance with some applications of the present invention. First, at an optional separation step 68, sub-rings 42 and 44 are separated, as described hereinabove with reference to Fig. 4. Next, at a squeezing step 70, the ring is placed over the thimble, thus squeezing the proximal portion of the thimble, as described hereinabove with reference to Fig. 1. (In some applications, as described hereinabove with reference to Fig. 3, placing the ring over the thimble comprises inserting a ridge at a proximal end of the thimble into an indentation in the ring.) Next, at a placing step 72, the thimble is placed on the thumb. (The scope of the present invention includes reversing the order of steps 70 and 72, i.e., the ring may be first placed over the thumb, and then, following the placement of the thimble on the thumb, slid distally over the thimble.) Next, at a stem-cutting step 74 or a stem-stripping step 76, the blade or flower-stem stripper coupled to the distal end of the tool is used to cut or strip a stem 78 of a flower. As depicted in Fig. 9, a wearer of apparatus 20 may cut and/or strip flower stems comfortably, safely, and with relative ease, often without the need to use both hands simultaneously.

Reference is now made to Fig. 10, which depicts a coupling of blade 24 to thimble 26, in accordance with some applications of the present invention. As described hereinabove with reference to Fig. 1, this coupling is typically reversible, such that, for example, a user of apparatus 20 may alternate between using blade 24 and flower-stem stripper 30. As shown in section A-A, an indentation or slot 29 may be defined by thimble 26 (e.g., by tool-coupling portion 28 and/or by protrusions 62), into which tool 22 may be placed. For some applications of the invention, an opening 31 may be defined by thimble 26 such that, for users with long fingernails, the nail 10 of the thumb 12 of the subject may pass through the opening rather than impede comfortable wearing of the thimble.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather, the scope of the present invention includes both combinations and subcombinations of the various features described hereinabove, as well as variations and modifications thereof that are not in the prior art, which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description.

Claims

1. Apparatus for wearing over a thumb, the apparatus comprising:

a tool selected from the group consisting of: a blade, and a flower-stem stripper; a rigid thimble shaped to define a tool-coupling portion at a distal portion of the rigid thimble, the tool-coupling portion being shaped to firmly hold the tool; and

a removable rigid ring shaped to secure the thimble to the thumb by squeezing a proximal portion of the thimble when the thimble is worn over the thumb.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a proximal end of the thimble is shaped to define a ridge shaped to inhibit a separation of the thimble and the ring following a placement of the ring over the proximal portion of the thimble.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the ring is shaped to define an indentation shaped to receive the ridge.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ring comprises:

a first rigid sub-ring; and

a second rigid sub-ring reversibly joined to the first sub-ring.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a breakable joining element that reversibly joins the first and second sub-rings.

6. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the tool comprises a blade.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a first end of a cutting edge of the blade is distal to a second end of the cutting edge of the blade, when the blade is coupled to the tool-coupling portion.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a smallest angle of a hypothetical right triangle on the blade, of which triangle the cutting edge is a hypotenuse, is between 10 and 50 degrees.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the smallest angle of the hypothetical right triangle is between 20 and 40 degrees.

10. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the tool comprises a flower- stem stripper.

11. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the ring is a first ring having a first set of dimensions, and

wherein the apparatus further comprises one or more other removable rigid rings having respective sets of dimensions that are different from the first set of dimensions, the one or more other rings being shaped to secure the thimble to the thumb by squeezing the proximal portion of the thimble when the thimble is worn over the thumb.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11,

wherein the first ring comprises:

a first arc having a first radius of curvature; and

a second arc having a second radius of curvature that is different from the first radius of curvature, and

wherein each one of the one or more other rings comprises:

a first arc having the first radius of curvature; and

a second arc having a radius of curvature that is different from the second radius of curvature.

13. The apparatus according to claim 11,

wherein the first ring has a first radius of curvature, and

wherein each one of the one or more other rings comprises:

a first arc having the first radius of curvature; and

a second arc having a second radius of curvature that is different from the first radius of curvature.

14. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the ring comprises: a first arc having a first radius of curvature; and

a second arc having a second radius of curvature that is different from the first radius of curvature.

15. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein (i) a first plane that is (a) tangent to the distal portion of the thimble at at least two points, and (b) not tangent to the proximal portion of the thimble, and (ii) a second plane that is (a) tangent to the proximal portion of the thimble at at least two points, and (b) not tangent to the distal portion of the thimble, intersect at an angle that is between 110 and 160 degrees.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the first plane and second plane intersect at an angle that is between 125 and 145 degrees.

17. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein a distalmost point of the thimble is distal to a distalmost point of the tool, when the tool is coupled to the tool- coupling portion.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the distal portion of the thimble is shaped to define two protrusions that are disposed at respective ends of the tool and extend distally to the tool, when the tool is coupled to the tool-coupling portion.

19. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein a distal tip of a first one of the protrusions is distal to a distal tip of a second one of the protrusions.

20. A method for placing a rigid thimble on a thumb, the thimble being coupled at a distal end thereof to a tool selected from the group consisting of: a blade, and a flower- stem stripper, the method comprising:

squeezing a proximal portion of the thimble by placing a rigid ring over the thimble; and

placing the thimble on the thumb.

21. The method according to claim 20, further comprising, following the placing of the thimble on the thumb, using the tool to cut a stem of a flower.

22. The method according to claim 20, further comprising, following the placing of the thimble on the thumb, using the tool to strip a stem of a flower.

23. The method according to claim 20, wherein placing the ring over the thimble comprises inserting a ridge at a proximal end of the thimble into an indentation in the ring.

24. The method according to any one of claims 20-23, wherein the ring is a first sub- ring, and wherein the method further comprises, before squeezing the proximal portion of the thimble with the first sub-ring, separating the first sub-ring from a second sub-ring to which the first sub-ring is joined.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein separating the first sub-ring from the second sub-ring comprises breaking a joining element that joins the first and second sub- rings.

26. Apparatus for wearing over a thumb, the apparatus comprising:

a tool selected from the group consisting of: a blade, and a flower-stem stripper; and a rigid thimble comprising a proximal portion thereof and a distal portion thereof, the distal portion of the thimble being shaped to define a tool-coupling portion shaped to firmly hold the tool,

the proximal portion of the thimble being shaped to squeeze the thumb by being placed over the thumb, and

(i) a first plane that is (a) tangent to the distal portion of the thimble at at least two points, and (b) not tangent to the proximal portion of the thimble, and (ii) a second plane that is (a) tangent to the proximal portion of the thimble at at least two points, and (b) not tangent to the distal portion of the thimble, intersecting at an angle that is between 110 and 160 degrees.

27. The apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the first plane and second plane intersect at an angle that is between 125 and 145 degrees.