Line Collection Apparatus

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A person engaged in an activity that involves the use of lengths of line, thread, string, floss, fishing line, or wire typically encounters problems with the temporary storage and disposal of the excess or used material due to the loose and flexible nature of these filamentary materials. Typically the used material occupies a relatively large volume of space given the comparatively small of the material. The person may have to temporarily store the used material so that it may be disposed of in an appropriate manner.

Examples are when people have used or removed lengths of fishing line or leader in the course of fishing in a body of water. The excess/used line should not be discarded in the water but the person encounters difficulty in gathering the line and storing it securely in a pocket or pouch until it can be disposed of in a waste receptacle. In the case of dental floss, the collection and disposal of the material has hygienic implications as well. For used dental floss, either in a dentist's office or in the home, the gathering of the used floss and disposal in the trash is complicated by the loose gathering and high flexibility of the material.

The low mass of these lightweight lines also pose a problem in disposal due to the material tending to cling to the person's fingers through static electricity or through friction with the person's skin.

A need exists facilitate the gathering of the used/excess material and the subsequent disposal of the material.

While there are numerous patents regarding the invention of several dental flossing systems, a few of which incorporate a waste floss collector, these systems are focused on the specific needs of application of the floss.

Examples:

• U.S. Pat. No. 6,092,536 Flossing Tool
• U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,207 Dental floss apparatus with improved mechanism for collecting spent floss and with improved tip structure, and method of use
• U.S. Pat. No. 5,613,508 Dental floss apparatus with improved mechanism for collecting spent floss
• U.S. Pat. No. 5,038,806 Disposable dental flosser and holder

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The device described herein allows a person to easily collect and dispose of small lengths of line, thread, string, floss, fishing line, wire, and similar materials. The device collects the material by pulling it into an enclosed collection cylinder. The device also provides a means to sever the material, if necessary. The device allows for several pieces and lengths of material to be collected before the user needs to empty the accumulated material into a trash receptacle.

The device can be made small enough in size and weight that it may be easily carried in a person's pocket or attached to a lanyard for ready access.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram identifying the components of the Line Collection Apparatus; and

FIG. 2 is a physical embodiment of the device using a spindle collector; and

FIG. 3 is a component embodiment of the device using a spindle collector; and

FIG. 4 is a physical embodiment of the device using a roller (rollers) for collection of the filament material.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the spindle collection device described in FIG. 1, a line collection device to collect used or excess material (such as string, thread, wire, fishing line, leader line, and floss). The device will accumulate the lengths of the material by wrapping onto a rotating spindle (1). The spindle rotates in a partially enclosed cylinder (2) and may have a lid (7) to contain the accumulated material. The spindle is tapered toward its tip and includes a slot into which a portion of the material to be collected is placed before the spindle is initially rotated. The collection cylinder has a plurality of slots in its die walls to permit the line material to be fed onto the spindle. The spindle and collection cylinder are mounted on a handle (6) that contain the motive means for the spindle and allows single hand operation of the device. The spindle is rotated through a transmission and optional clutch (3) means such as a set of intermeshing gears, belts, wheels, and/or a viscous coupling material. The motive means (5) for the spindle can be achieve through various means such an electric motor activation switch (4), and power supply (e.g. battery) or various mechanical means such as wind-up mechanisms, hand activated crank, or lever.

In a preferred embodiment described in FIGS. 2 and 3, the details of the various components are provided.

• • 1. Rotating spindle consists of Spindle with a Slot (101) and Ejection Disk (103). The Ejection Disk slides over the base of the Spindle and is used to push the accumulated material off of the Spindle when the Collection Cylinder (102) is pulled outwards. The Ejection Disk rotates with the Spindle inside of the Cylinder.
  • 2. Collection Cylinder is represented by the Collection Cylinder with Slots (102). The Cylinder is designed with external slots to permit the insertion of the line material to be collected. The Cylinder also has Stabilization tabs that prevent the Cylinder from rotating with the Spindle and also permit the Cylinder to be pulled outward without detaching from the Handle.
  • 3. Transmission Means in its simplest form consists of intermeshed gears (104) and an optional spindle alignment mechanism consisting of an Alignment Cam (105) and an Alignment Switch (106). The alignment mechanism will cause the motive means to remain engaged after the Activation Switch has been released. The Cam causes the Switch to open at a point where the Spindle Slot aligns with the Collection Cylinder Slots to facilitate insertion of line material.
  • 4. Activation Switch in its simplest form consists of a Pushbutton Switch (110). Closure of the Switch activates the Motive Means it this case by providing electrical power to the Motor.
  • 5. Motive Means consists of an Electric Motor (107) and a Battery (108). This construction is very similar to that found in hand held electric tooth brushes.
  • 6. Handle is represented by the Handle (109) which encloses the Motive and Transmission Means and provides the attachment points for the Spindle, Cylinder, Activation Switch, and optional attachments.
  • 7. Cap is represented by the Cap (111). This Cap snaps over the top of the Collection Cylinder in a manner similar to a pill bottle lid. The Cap prevents the accumulated contents of the Spindle from falling out or unwinding before the expected disposal time.

The Handle forms a platform for the connection of optional attachments. The preferred embodiment would have all attachments permanently mounted onto the handle, but a series of simple snap in components that would mount into holes in the handle is also possible.

• • 112. Second Spindle can hold a spool of line material for winding onto the Spindle or onto a bobbin mounted on the Spindle for transfer of material from the spool to the bobbin.
  • 113. Line Guide can be a simple grommet or a speed threading guide wire that controls the orientation of the line material before it enters the cylinder to ease the winding process.
  • 114. Line Cutter can be a simple piece of sharp metal, a cutting blade, or a set of snippers to permit the operator to break or cut the end of the material being collected,

In the rolling collection device described in FIG. 4, a line collection device to collect used or excess material (such as string, thread, wire, fishing line, leader line, and floss). The device will accumulate the lengths of the material by pulling the line between two wheels (204 & 206) into a Collection Container (208). The rotation of the wheels is accomplished by the operator spinning the Drive Wheel (206) typically using their thumb. The Line Material (202) being collected will be pulled between the Drive Wheel and the Friction Wheel (204) into the Collection Cylinder until all of the line has been pulled in or the user decides to cut the line to length. The two wheels also help retain the collected material in the Collection Cylinder to prevent accumulated material from unintentionally falling out. To cut the line, the user presses down on the lever arm of the Moving Blade (201). The line is cut between the Moving blade and the Fixed Blade (203) in a similar manner to the common nail clippers. The user then continues rotation of the Drive Wheel until the end of the line is in the Collection Cylinder. The material collected in the cylinder can then be discard into an appropriate receptical by unscrewing the Collection Cylinder from the main body of the collector at the Threaded Joint (207).