Polymer "Cane" Extruder

Abstract

A polymer clay cane extruder that is comprised of a solid rod and a hollow tube that is made of acrylic. The tool is used for cutting polymer clay slices of various uniform and consistent shapes, which includes cylindrical, square, and triangular shapes. This tool gives uniform shape and size to each slice of polymer cane when compressed and extruded, which holds its shape and aids in cutting uniform slices of the clay canes with little to no distortion. It does not require any excessive force for cutting canes. A polymer clay cane extruder is very useful for making canes that are used in jewelry articles, such as beads, pendants, bracelets, and neckpieces and/or other arts and crafts related projects.

Claims

1. A polymer clay cane extruder tool for cutting polymer clay slices of various uniform and consistent shapes, which comprises: a) a solid rod, and b) a clear hollow tube,

2. A polymer clay cane extruder of claim 1, wherein said tool is made of clear acrylic.

3. A polymer clay cane extruder of claim 1, wherein said tool includes cylindrical, square, and triangular shapes.

4. A polymer clay cane extruder of claim 1, wherein solid rod is 6 inches in length with etched measuring lines in the 4 inch area.

5. A polymer clay cane extruder of claim 1, wherein said clear hollow tube is 4 inches in length and inches thick.

6. A polymer clay cane extruder of claim 1, wherein said tool, when compressed and extruded, holds its shape and aids in cutting uniform slices of the clay canes with little to no distortion.

7. A polymer clay cane extruder of claim 1, wherein said tool is water resistant and requires mild soap and water for cleaning.

8. A polymer clay cane extruder of claim 1, wherein said tool does not require any excessive force for cutting canes.

9. A polymer clay cane extruder of claim 1, that is used for making jewelry articles, such as beads, pendants, bracelets, and neckpieces.

10. A polymer clay cane extruder of claim 1 is used for arts and crafts related projects.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates the partial prospective top view of a polymer clay extruder in the invention with a circular head.

[0026] FIG. 2 illustrates the partial prospective top view of a circular extruded polymer clay in the invention with a circular head.

[0027] FIG. 3 illustrates the prospective view of measurements of a hollow extruded tubing of a polymer clay extruder in the invention with a circular head.

[0028] FIG. 4 illustrates the partial prospective top view of a polymer clay extruder in the invention with a rectangular head.

[0029] FIG. 5 illustrates the partial prospective top view of a rectangular extruded polymer clay in the invention with a rectangular head.

[0030] FIG. 6 illustrates the prospective view of measurements of a hollow extruded tubing of a polymer clay extruder in the invention with a rectangular head.

[0031] FIG. 7 illustrates the partial prospective top view of a polymer clay extruder in the invention with a triangular head.

[0032] FIG. 8 illustrates the partial prospective top view of a triangular extruded polymer clay in the invention with a triangular head.

[0033] FIG. 9 illustrates the prospective view of measurements of a hollow extruded tubing of a polymer clay extruder in the invention with a triangular head.

[0034] FIG. 10 illustrates the prospective view of various sizes and shapes of a polymer clay extruder in the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] Various aspects of the illustrative embodiments will be described using the terms commonly employed by those skilled in the art to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced with only some of the described aspects. For purposes of explanation, specific numbers, materials, and configurations are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the illustrative embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without the specific details. In other instances, well-known features are omitted or simplified in order to not obscure the illustrative embodiments.

[0036] Referring to the drawings, specifically to FIG. 1 of the drawings therefo is shown a hollow polymer clay cane extruder with a circular shape head 1 made of clear acrylic for providing a structure for cutting polymer clay slices of various uniform and circular shapes.

[0037] Referring to the drawings, specifically to FIG. 2 of the drawings therefo is shown an circular shape polymer clay 2 cut from the polymer clay cane extruder with a circular shape head 1.

[0038] Referring to the drawings, specifically to FIG. 3 of the drawings therefo is shown the measurements on the clay for the hollow polymer clay cane extruder with a circular shape head 1 made of clear acrylic for providing a structure for cutting polymer clay slices of various uniform and circular shapes. The hollow extruded tubing measuring 4 in length and solid extruded acrylic rods measuring 6 in length. The thickness of the tube wall is 1/16.

[0039] Referring to the drawings, specifically to FIG. 4 of the drawings therefo is shown a hollow polymer clay cane extruder with a rectangular shape head 3 made of clear acrylic for providing a structure for cutting polymer clay slices of various uniform and rectangular shapes.

[0040] Referring to the drawings, specifically to FIG. 5 of the drawings therefo is shown an rectangular shape polymer clay 4 cut from the polymer clay cane extruder with a rectangular shape head 3.

[0041] Referring to the drawings, specifically to FIG. 6 of the drawings therefo is shown the measurements on the clay for the hollow polymer clay cane extruder with a rectangular shape head 3 made of clear acrylic for providing a structure for cutting polymer clay slices of various uniform and rectangular shapes. The hollow extruded tubing measuring 4 in length and solid extruded acrylic rods measuring 6 in length. The thickness of the tube wall is 1/16.

[0042] Referring to the drawings, specifically to FIG. 7 of the drawings therefo is shown a hollow polymer clay cane extruder with a triangular shape head 5 made of clear acrylic for providing a structure for cutting polymer clay slices of various uniform and triangular shapes.

[0043] Referring to the drawings, specifically to FIG. 8 of the drawings therefo is shown an triangular shape polymer clay 6 cut from the polymer clay cane extruder with a triangular shape head 5.

[0044] Referring to the drawings, specifically to FIG. 9 of the drawings therefo is shown the measurements on the clay for the hollow polymer clay cane extruder with a triangular shape head 1 made of clear acrylic for providing a structure for cutting polymer clay slices of various uniform and triangular shapes. The hollow extruded tubing measuring 4 in length and solid extruded acrylic rods measuring 6 in length. The thickness of the tube wall is 1/16.

[0045] Referring to the drawings, specifically to FIG. 10 of the drawings therefo is shown a hollow polymer clay cane extruder with a plastic rod 7 for pushing the polymer clay to be cut in various several shapes and sizes like small, medium and large.

[0046] The polymer clay cane extruder 1 in cylinder style is comprised of a solid rod 17 and a clear tube 18, which are represented together in assembly. The cylindrical shaped solid rod 17 is 6 inches in length with etched measuring lines in the 4 inch area. The clear hollow tube 18 is made up of acrylic. It measures 4 inches in length and inches in wall thickness. Shown below are Tables I, II and III illustrating the different dimensions of the polymer clay cane extruder that embodies the principles and concepts of the present invention is described.

[0047] In some preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a useful polymer clay cane extruder tool 1 that specifically designed for polymer clay artists to cut uniform slices of their polymer canes. These polymer canes can be combined to create sheets to make jewelry and/or other arts and crafts related projects. This tool gives uniform shape and size to each slice of polymer cane, when compressed and extruded, which holds its shape and aids in cutting uniform slices of the clay canes with little to no distortion. The purpose of the invention is to provide a comfortable usage of the tool without any external pressure or excessive force.

[0048] The table lists the dimensions of the different polymer extruder and the various sizes and shapes. The tables below are Tables 1, 2 and 3 illustrating the different dimensions of the polymer clay cane extruder that embodies the principles and concepts of the present invention is described herein:

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 ITEM ITEM# ITEM DESCRIPTION ITEM# DESCRIPTION OD ID OD ID 101A 0.1 TUBE 1/8, wall 1.25 1 101B Rod, tol = +.005 0.937 thickness, tol = +/.030 102A 0.75 TUBE 1/8, wall 1 0.75 101B Rod, tol = +.005 0.6875 thickness, tol = +/.030 103A 0.50 TUBE 1/8, wall 0.75 0.5 101B Rod, tol = +.005 0.4375 thickness, tol = +/.030 104A 0.375 TUBE 1/8, wall 0.625 0.375 101B Rod, tol = +.005 0.25 thickness, tol = +/.030 OUTSIDE INSIDE 105A 1.5 SQ TUBE 1/8, wall 1.75 1.5 101B solid, tol = +.005 thickness, tol = +/.030 106A 0.87 SQ TUBE 1/8, wall 1.125 0.875 101B solid, tol = +.005 thickness, tol = +/.031 107A 0.62 SQ TUBE 1/8, wall 0.875 0.625 101B solid, tol = +.005 thickness, tol = +/.031 108A 0.37 SQ TUBE 1/8, wall 0.625 0.375 101B solid, tol = +.005 thickness, tol = +/.030 109A 1.0 Triangula 1/8, wall 1.25 1 101B Solid triangle, thickness, tol = +/.030 tol = +.005

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 ITEM ITEM# ITEM DESCRIPTION OD ID ITEM# DESCRIPTION OD ID 109A 1.0 Triangula 1/8, wall 1.25 1 101B Solid triangle, tol = thickness, tol = +/.030 +.005

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 2 ASSEMBLY # DETAILED ITEMS #S 101C= 101A + 101.sup. 102C= 102 A + 102B 103C= 103 A + 103B 104C= 104 A + 104B 105C= 105 A + 105B 106C= 106 A + 106B 107C= 107 A + 107B 108C= 108 A + 108B 109C= 109 A + 109B

[0049] The invention also discloses the process for making polymer canes, which is elaborated as:

[0050] Preparation: First of all, the process begins by reducing the cane to fit easily in the polymer cane extruder. The cane should be pliable from resizing to provide the best result. Once the preparation of polymer clay is done, the process is further preceded by the cutting of canes.

[0051] Instruction for cutting polymer clay canes:

[0052] 1. Mark the cane evenly with the cut marks. (This step is optional).

[0053] 2. Spray the inside of the cane extruder with a water mist.

[0054] 3. Insert the reduced polymer clay into cane extruder. The plastic rod 7 is used to tap the cane evenly so that it fits tightly in the extruder. The same rod is also used to push (extrude) the clay out of the cane extruder to the desired thickness.

[0055] 4.With the end of the cane extruder, a sharp blade is used to cut the polymer clay in to cane slices. Furthermore, it must be compressed often so that the clay holds its shape in the extruder, rotating the tool between the cuts.

[0056] Clean Up: Remove the unused cane to prevent it from sticking inside of the extruder. Clean the tool with a baby wipe or soft cloth with rubbing alcohol. The polymer clay cane extruder is water resistant and cleans up with mild soap and water without causing any damage to the product.

[0057] Another embodiment discloses the usage of polymer clay canes in jewelry articles, such as beads, pendants, bracelets, and neckpieces. With some particular treatments, polymer-clay composites can also be used to make items with similar appearance of granite, jade, amber, coral, turquoise, and ivory. The polymer-clay composite is also useful in craftsmanship for the manufacturing of wooden boxes, picture frames, mirrors, tableware, small sculptures, and buttons.

[0058] With respect to the above description, it is to be understood that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly, and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and that all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

[0059] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. Accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.