Disposable nail clippers and methods for using same

Abstract

A disposable nail clipper is disclosed herein. Additionally, a nail clipper with removable, disposable cutting edges is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for using the nail clipper to clip nails. The disclosed nail clipper includes two body arms and at least one cutting edge portion, which is attached to one body arm. In one embodiment, the body arms and a lever are made of three similarly sized approximately rectangular pieces. Each body arm has a cutting edge portions attached thereto so that the cutting edges oppose each other. Each cutting edge portion is located at a distal end of each body arm. In one embodiment, the cutting edge portion is fixedly secured to the distal end of a body arm. In an alternate embodiment, the cutting edge portion is removably attached to the distal end of the body arm.

1 . A nail clipper, comprising:
 (a) a body comprising a first arm having a proximal end and a distal end and a second opposing arm having a proximal end and a distal end, the first and second arms comprising a polymeric material, wherein the first and second arms converge at and are linked to each other by their proximal ends;   (b) a first cutting edge portion comprising a metallic material, the first cutting edge portion extending from the first arm; and   (c) a second cutting edge portion comprising a metallic material, the second cutting edge portion extending from the second arm, wherein the first and second cutting edge portions are capable of being selectively brought into contact by user manipulation of the body.   
   
   
       2 . The nail clipper of  claim 1 , wherein the first cutting edge portion further comprises a tab extending therefrom, and the first arm further comprises a receptacle, wherein the tab lockingly engages the receptacle to fixedly secure the first cutting edge portion to the first arm. 
   
   
       3 . The nail clipper of  claim 2 , wherein the tab and the receptacle define a dovetail joint. 
   
   
       4 . The nail clipper of  claim 1 , wherein the first arm further comprises a tab extending therefrom, and the first cutting edge portion further comprises a receptacle, wherein the tab lockingly engages the receptacle to fixedly secure the first cutting edge portion to the first arm. 
   
   
       5 . The nail clipper of  claim 4 , wherein the tab and the receptacle define a dovetail joint. 
   
   
       6 . The nail clipper of  claim 1 , wherein the first cutting edge portion is integrally molded into polymeric material of the first arm. 
   
   
       7 . The nail clipper of  claim 1 , wherein the first cutting edge portion is fixedly secured to the first arm with an adhesive. 
   
   
       8 . A nail clipper, comprising:
 (a) a body comprising a first arm having a proximal end and a distal end and a second opposing arm having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the first and second arms converge at and are linked to each other by their proximal ends;   (b) a first cutting edge portion comprising a metallic material, the first cutting edge portion being removably coupled to the first arm; and   (c) a second cutting edge portion comprising a metallic material, the second cutting edge portion being removably coupled to the second arm, wherein the first and second cutting edge portions are capable of being selectively brought into contact by user manipulation of the body.   
   
   
       9 . The nail clipper of  claim 8 , wherein the first cutting edge portion further comprises a tab extending therefrom, and the first arm further comprises a receptacle, wherein the tab slidingly engages the receptacle to permit removable coupling of the first cutting edge portion to the first arm. 
   
   
       10 . The nail clipper of  claim 9 , wherein the tab and the receptacle define a dovetail joint. 
   
   
       11 . The nail clipper of  claim 9 , wherein the tab and the receptacle comprise a plurality of protrusions and dimples, the protrusions engaging the dimples when the first cutting edge portion is removably coupled to the first arm. 
   
   
       12 . The nail clipper of  claim 8 , wherein the first arm further comprises a tab extending therefrom, and the first cutting edge portion further comprises a receptacle, wherein the tab slidingly engages the receptacle to permit removable coupling of the first cutting edge portion to the first arm. 
   
   
       13 . The nail clipper of  claim 12 , wherein the tab and the receptacle define a dovetail joint. 
   
   
       14 . The nail clipper of  claim 12 , wherein the tab and the receptacle comprise a plurality of protrusions and dimples, the protrusions engaging the dimples when the first cutting edge portion is removably coupled to the first arm. 
   
   
       15 . The nail clipper of  claim 8 , wherein the first and second arms comprise a polymeric material. 
   
   
       16 . A nail clipper, comprising:
 (a) a first arm having a generally rectangular shape with a proximal end and a distal end;   (b) a second arm having a generally rectangular shape with a proximal end and a distal end, the second arm being opposed to the first arm;   (c) a fastener to link the proximal end of the firs arm to the proximal end of the second arm;   (d) a first cutting edge portion removably coupled to the distal end of the first arm; and   (e) a second cutting edge portion removably coupled to the distal end of the second arm so that the second cutting edge portion is opposed to the first cutting edge portion, wherein the first cutting edge portion is capable of contacting the second cutting edge portion upon user manipulation of the first and second arms.   
   
   
       17 . The nail clipper of  claim 16 , wherein the first cutting edge portion further comprises a tab extending therefrom, and the first arm further comprises a receptacle, wherein the tab slidingly engages the receptacle to removably couple the first cutting edge portion to the first arm. 
   
   
       18 . The nail clipper of  claim 17 , wherein the tab and the receptacle comprise a plurality of protrusions and dimples, the protrusions engaging the dimples when the first cutting edge portion is removably coupled to the first arm. 
   
   
       19 . The nail clipper of  claim 16 , wherein the first arm further comprises a tab extending therefrom, and the first cutting edge portion further comprises a receptacle, wherein the tab slidingly engages the receptacle to removably couple the first cutting edge portion to the first arm. 
   
   
       20 . The nail clipper of  claim 19 , wherein the tab and the receptacle comprise a plurality of protrusions and dimples, the protrusions engaging the dimples when the first cutting edge portion is removably coupled to the first arm.