Earring clutch-finding and methods of manufacture thereof

Abstract

An earring clutch-finding for protecting neck soft tissue from abrasion and puncture, including a body portion formed from a deformable material is provided. An axial bore extends into the deformable material forming an insertion hole closed at the end distal to the earring. A method of manufacturing the clutch-finding is further provided.

1 . An earring clutch-finding for protecting neck soft tissue from abrasion and puncture, comprising a body portion with an insertion hole for receiving and releasably retaining a post portion of an earring, wherein the body comprises a deformable material, and the insertion hole is closed at an end distal to the earring.  
   
   
       2 . The clutch-finding according to  claim 1  wherein the deformable material is selected from the group of rubber and plastic.  
   
   
       3 . The clutch-finding according to  claim 2  wherein the rubber is natural or synthetic.  
   
   
       4 . The clutch-finding according to  claim 2  wherein the rubber comprises latex.  
   
   
       5 . The clutch-finding according to  claim 2  wherein the rubber comprises silicone.  
   
   
       6 . The clutch-finding according to  claim 2  wherein the plastic is a polymer selected from the group of polyurethane, polyurethane foam, polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene, polystyrene, and polymethylpentene.  
   
   
       7 . The clutch-finding according to  claim 6  wherein the plastic polymer comprises at least one atom selected from the group of oxygen, chlorine, fluorine, nitrogen, silicon, phosphorous, or sulfur.  
   
   
       8 . The clutch-finding according to  claim 1  wherein the deformable material further comprises an antibacterial agent.  
   
   
       9 . The clutch-finding according to  claim 8  wherein the antibacterial agent is selected from the group of Triclosan, Bacitracin, Neomycin, and Polymyxin.  
   
   
       10 . The clutch-finding according to  claim 1  wherein the deformable material further comprises Aloe vera.  
   
   
       11 . The clutch-finding according to  claim 1 , wherein the body portion further comprises a planar surface at an end proximal to the earring.  
   
   
       12 . An earring clutch-finding for protecting neck soft tissue from abrasion and puncture, comprising a body portion with an insertion hole for receiving and releasably retaining a post portion of an earring, wherein the body comprises latex, and the insertion hole is closed at an end distal to the earring.  
   
   
       13 . An earring clutch-finding for protecting neck soft tissue from abrasion and puncture, comprising a body portion with an insertion hole for receiving and releasably retaining a post portion of an earring, wherein the body comprises silicone, and the insertion hole is closed at an end distal to the earring.  
   
   
       14 . The clutch-finding according to any of claims  1 - 13  wherein the deformable material is non-toxic.  
   
   
       15 . The clutch-finding according to any of claims  1 - 14  wherein the deformable material further comprises a pigment having a color in the visual color spectrum.  
   
   
       16 . The clutch-finding according to any of claims  1 - 15  wherein the deformable material is compatible with an antibacterial solvent or solution of an antibacterial agent.  
   
   
       17 . The clutch-finding according to  claim 16  wherein the antibacterial solvent is selected from the group of alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, and n-propyl alcohol.  
   
   
       18 . The clutch-finding according to  claim 16  wherein the antibacterial agent is selected from a detergent, hydrogen peroxide, and an antibiotic.  
   
   
       19 . The clutch-finding according to claims  1 - 18  wherein the deformable material is compatible with sonication.  
   
   
       20 . A method for manufacturing an earring clutch-finding of deformable material and having an insertion hole closed at an end distal to an earring, the method comprising: 
 preparing a computer program having dimensional specifications for a template of the clutch-finding, to input into a computer directed milling machine, for computer aided design/computer aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) of a die mold having the template for casting the deformable material;    milling the die mold according to the CAD/CAM to produce the template; and    contacting by injection molding an interior surface of the template with the deformable material in liquid phase, wherein solidifying the material within the die mold manufactures the clutch-finding.    
   
   
       21 . The method according to  claim 20 , further comprising after solidifying, boring the insertion hole into the deformable material, wherein boring the hole does not extend through the distal end of the material.  
   
   
       22 . The method according to  claim 20 , further comprising prior to solidifying, inserting a portion of the die mold template in the shape of a post extending partially into the liquid phase material, wherein upon removal of the post the insertion hole closed at the distal end is formed.  
   
   
       23 . The method according to  claim 20 , further comprising prior to solidifying, adding a pigment having a color in the visual color spectrum to the liquid phase deformable material.  
   
   
       24 . The method according to any of claims  20 - 23 , further comprising after solidifying, removing the clutch-finding from the die mold.