Media cutting device

• US 20060236550A1
• Filed: 04/21/2006
• Published: 10/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Pearson, Scott D., Gullicks, Scott D., Mueller, Gerald E., Packard, Joy A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,176,640 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 30/294
• CPC Class Codes: B26B 25/00 Hand cutting tools involving disc blades, e.g. motor-driven details or components, e.g. casings, bodies, of portable power-driven tools not particularly related to the operation performed B25F5/00
• CPC Class Codes: B26B 27/002 Tools using wires as cutting means
• CPC Class Codes: B26B 3/08 specially adapted for cutting cardboard, or wall, floor, or like covering materials
• CPC Class Codes: B26B 5/005 specially adapted for cutting cardboard, or wall, floor or like covering materials
• CPC Class Codes: B26B 5/008 for performing several incisions simultaneously; for cutting cubes

Abstract

The present invention pertains to a device for cutting media, such as paper, cardboard, and metal foils. The device has a body that includes a sidewall extending from the body. The device has means for cutting the media disposed in the body. The means for cutting the media has a cutting edge having a leading edge and a trailing edge. The sidewall shrouds at least a portion of the cutting edge. The sidewall has a media contact point that is disposed away from the trailing edge in the direction of the leading edge.

Claims

1. A device for cutting media comprising:

a body comprising a sidewall extending from the body; and

means for cutting the media disposed in the body, the means for cutting comprising a cutting edge having a leading edge and a trailing edge

wherein the sidewall shrouds at least a portion of the cutting edge, and with reference to the cutting edge, the sidewall has a media contact point that is disposed away from the trailing edge in the direction of the leading edge.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the media contact point of the sidewall lies between the leading edge and the trailing edge.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the body and the sidewall are integrally formed.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the body further comprises a handle and a cover, the cover extending from the handle and having an exposed end, and the sidewall extending from the cover.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein when the device is engaged with the media so as to cut it, the media does not contact an inner surface of the cover.

7. The device of claim 5, wherein the cover is transparent.

8. The device of claim 5, wherein the cover further comprises a visual indicator selected from the group consisting of (i) a reference mark on the cover, on the guide, or on the handle and (ii) light indicating means that projects a light beam onto the media.

9. The device of claim 1 further comprising a guide having opposing top and bottom surfaces and an attached end and a free end, wherein the attached end of the guide extends from the body.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the means for cutting the media is a blade having a cutting edge, the blade disposed in the guide such that the leading edge lies proximate to the top surface of the guide and the trailing edge lies proximate to the attached end of the guide.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein the free end of the guide extends beyond the exposed end of the cover.

12. The device of claim 9, wherein the free end of the guide has a substantially rounded geometry or substantially a pointed geometry.

13. The device of claim 9, wherein a bottom surface of the guide has a widest width that is larger than the widest width of the sidewall.

14. The device of claim 9, wherein the media contact point of the sidewall does not extend beyond the bottom surface of the guide.

15. The device of claim 9, wherein the guide further comprises a rib extending from the bottom surface or a side surface.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein the body further comprises a handle, a base having a first exposed end, and a transition one connecting the handle to the base, and the sidewall extend from the base.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the handle, transition zone, and base are integrally formed.

18. The device of claim 16, wherein when the device is engaged with media, the media does not contact an inner surface of the base.

19. The device of claim 16, wherein the base further comprises a visual indicator selected from the group consisting of (i) a reference mark on the base, on the transition zone, or on the handle and (ii) light indicating means that projects a light beam onto the media.

3. The device of claim l, wherein the cutting edge is inaccessible to the user.

20. A media cutting device comprising:

a body comprising an elongated handle, a cover having a planar region and extending from the handle, and a sidewall extending from the cover,

a guide disposed generally beneath the cover, the guide having opposing top and bottom surfaces, an attached end and a free end, wherein the attached end of the guide extends from the handle; and

a blade disposed in the guide, the blade having a leading edge and a trailing edge,

wherein the sidewall shrouds at least a portion of the blade and with reference to the blade, the sidewall comprises a media contact point that is disposed away from the trailing edge in the direction of the leading edge.

21. The device of claim 20, wherein the media contact point of the sidewall lies between the leading edge and the trailing edge of the blade.

22. The device of claim 20, wherein the blade is inaccessible to the user.

23. The device of claim 20, wherein the handle, cover, and sidewall are integrally formed.

24. The device of claim 20, wherein when the device is engaged with the media so as to cut it, the media does not contact an inner surface of the cover.

25. The device of claim 20, wherein the blade disposed in the guide such that the leading edge lies proximate to the top surface of the guide and the trailing edge lies proximate to the attached end of the guide.

26. The device of claim 20, wherein the free end of the guide has a substantially rounded geometry or a substantially pointed geometry.

27. The device of claim 20, wherein the media contact point of the sidewall does not extend beyond a bottom surface of the guide.

28. The device of claim 20, wherein the guide further comprises a rib extending from the bottom surface or side of the guide.

29. The device of claim 20, wherein the handle comprises means for engaging and disengaging the guide.

30. A media cutting device comprising:

a head comprising a cover, a sidewall extending from the cover, and a guide disposed substantially under the cover, the guide having a blade disposed therein;

a handle attached to the head; and

means for engaging and disengaging the head from the handle.